Vyöhykemalli

Vyöhykemalli, often translated as "zonal model" or "belt model" in English, is a concept used in various fields, most notably in geography and urban planning, to describe the spatial organization of phenomena. It suggests that areas can be divided into distinct zones or belts, each characterized by particular features, functions, or land uses. These zones are not necessarily sharply defined borders but rather transitional areas where characteristics gradually change from one zone to another.

In urban geography, the zonal model is frequently applied to understand city structure. It posits that cities develop outwards from a central business district (CBD) in a series of concentric circles or zones. Each zone is associated with specific types of housing, economic activity, and social characteristics. For example, a central zone might be dominated by commercial and industrial activities, followed by a zone of low-class housing, then a zone of working-class homes, a zone of better residences, and finally a commuter zone.

Beyond urban studies, the zonal model can also be used to describe environmental patterns, such as vegetation belts in mountainous regions or agricultural zones based on climate and soil type. The underlying principle remains the same: a spatial arrangement of distinct, yet often interconnected, areas characterized by specific attributes. The effectiveness of the zonal model in explaining a particular phenomenon depends on the specific context and the degree to which spatial organization conforms to this layered structure.