AP human geo project

1. Chicago
By: Logan Hillman

2. Establishment
Chicago was established in the 1830s as a water transit hub. It was
established in a geographic location that allowed for strong transportation between
the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. It has now grown into an industrial
metropolis, mainly processing and transporting materials.

3. Development
With a population of an estimated 2.7 million people, the city of Chicago has grown significantly from 4,170 when it
was first incorporated in 1837. Chicago started out as grasslands and forests, but has since become a major metropolis,
made up of steel and concrete.
In the early 1900’s, Chicago was located at the intersection of a river, lake, and railroad routes. Chicago was also
surrounded by rich farmland. Trains brought grain from the surrounding region into Chicago, where it was then transported
by ships to the East Coast and Europe. This caused Chicago to grow quickly as many people migrated to the area. Boats
from the river and lake also brought iron to be processed, while the trains transported in livestock.
Factories grew quickly in Chicago as well, due to it’s many transportation lines. This created many more jobs, so
more people continued to migrate to Chicago. As more people came, the need for additional housing, retail and banking
increased. Downtown Chicago “The Loop,” became a business district as bankers, real estate developers and large retailers
were drawn to the quickly growing city.
At the same time, the railway system grew, allowing people to move further away from the downtown city center. As
lower income families moved further away from the center of the city, manufactures moved with them to take advantage of
cheap labor (ex. Women & children sewing clothing).

4. Development (continued)
This began the suburbanization of Chicago, which continued to grow as streetcars and automobiles were invented,
allowing citizens to live further away from the city center, but still easily access it.
As automobile travel continued to increase, this lead to the construction of new paved roads. Eventually, the
expressway system was developed. Urbanized areas that had been considered rural were now part of the metropolis.
These areas include Bolingbrook, Bloomingdale, Darien, Carol Stream, Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows and Elk Grove
Village. As the suburbs of Chicago grew, citizens began to rely more heavily automotive travel.
Today, the continued growth of transportation keeps Chicago an international business hub. There are two airports
(O’Hare and Midway). O’Hare is the 2nd busiest airport in the US. Chicago’s Transit System connects the airports to
downtown Chicago and is the 2nd largest transit system in the US, utilizing rails, buses & cabs.

5. Rank size
Chicago follows the rank size rule. It is ranked the third largest populated city in
the U.S.

6. Concentric-zone model
- CBD
- Zone of transition
- Lower class
- Middle class
- Higher class

7. Zones
CBD Zone of Transition
The CBD is downtown Chicago which is
bordered from the north and west by the
Chicago River and west by Lake Michigan
and south by Roosevelt Road.
The zone of transition can be found mostly
surrounding the CBD. But there are some strips
that spread out to the north and west.

8. Zones
Low Class Middle Class High Class
The Low class residential areas can be
found west and south of the CBD.
The middle class residential can be
found mostly north and west of the CBD.
Most high class residential can be
found far to west or far to north of
the CBD.

9. Urban Models
Chicago follows the concentric-zone model because the zones circle each other. It
does not follow the Harris and Ullman Multiple Nuclei Model, because the zones
are not spread apart. It also does not follow the Hoyt Sector Model Key, because
the zones don't overlap each other.

10. Economic Sectors
Primary Sector: Chicago’s primary sector consist of mines and farms. Chicago
used to have a coal mine, but when it dried up of resources it became a tourist
attraction. Also in different parts of Chicago people grow common foods such as
peas, carrots, and radishes.
Secondary Sector: Chicago's secondary sector consists of manufacturing, which
Chicago specializes in the auto manufacturing industry. Chicago has 10,000 jobs
for manufacturing motor vehicle car parts.
Tertiary Sector: Chicago's tertiary sector offers over 100 different services from
abandoned car complaint to zoning.