Hannerz highlights the model of the city given by Burgess The zones are believed to “compete” with

each other for dominance. The most powerful zones occupy the most advantageous locations while the
less powerful ones adjust. Ernst Burgess took this thesis to the next level by giving the theory of ideal-
type conception of city space as represented in a spiral of “concentric circles” as a series of concentric
circles. Inside the first circle was the central business district in Chicago and “the loop”- with the highest
land values. The second circle contained a “zone in transition” which was invaded from the centre by
business and light industry. Burgess' work has also faced a lot of criticism because of the interpretation,
whether they were true only for Chicago or for any other industrial city. A separation between work and
residence, also ignored that travel in the city would be much more inconvenient. Burgess in particular
devoted classes in ‘Social pathology '' for such map making. Park had doubts about neglecting
qualitative data. Hannerz draws attention to five best known studies.

Spatiality remains a special focus in the Chicago school of urbanism. It emphasises upon the adjustment
and cultural communication that is involved in any urban setting with its power dynamics of
domination/displacement/belonging and marginalization. The socio-psychological dimensions of this
adjustment and of conflicts are always noted by the Chicago scholars.

1. Nel Anderson's "The Hobo" (1923):Anderson's study extensively examined the lives of hoboes
in Chicago, particularly focusing on the settled area known as "hobohemia." He categorized the
diverse migrant workforce into distinct groups such as hoboes, tramps, home guards, and bums.
These groups engaged with the local economy through various means such as cheap eateries,
hotels, pawnbrokers, and employment agents. Additionally, Anderson highlighted the existence
of organizations like the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) that aimed to advocate for the
rights and rehabilitation of hoboes. However, his portrayal of hobo life has been criticized for
romanticizing the realities of their existence.
2. Frederic M. Thrasher's "The Gang" (1927): Thrasher conducted an in-depth study of the
proliferation of gangs in 1920s Chicago. His research delved into the origins of these gangs,
emphasizing their spatial distribution, ethnic diversity, and economic competition as primary
factors influencing their formation. He highlighted how gangs emerged due to the breakdown of
traditional support systems like family, school, and the state, drawing attention to the social and
structural issues that led to their existence.
3. Louis Wirth's "The Ghetto" (1928): Wirth's work focused on the immigrant Jewish community
residing in Chicago's ghetto. He meticulously analyzed the spatial aspects of the neighborhood
and its significance as both a sanctuary and a symbol of discrimination. Wirth discussed
variations in the European ghettos and observed how the American ghetto reflected aspects of
assimilation and accommodation within its structure. He examined the dynamics between those
who chose to stay in the ghetto and those who moved out to more established neighborhoods,
highlighting an ecological dimension in their settlement patterns.
4. Harvey W. Zorbaugh's "The Gold Coast and the Slum" (1929): Zorbaugh identified and
characterized six distinct urban areas within the Lower North side of Chicago. His study
encompassed a wide spectrum of urban communities, from the affluent Gold Coast inhabited by
the upper class to the economically downtrodden slums. Each area had its unique features,
including transient communities, ethnic enclaves, and links to organized crime or political
 machines. Zorbaugh's research provided a comprehensive understanding of the diverse social
fabric present in these distinct neighborhoods.
5. Paul G. Cressey's "The Taxi Dance Hall" (1932): Cressey's ethnography explored the
emerging phenomenon of taxi-dance halls in urban America during the early 1900s, primarily
focusing on Chicago. He detailed these halls as spaces where working-class men hired female
companions for dancing. Cressey highlighted the clientele's diversity, ranging from working-class
individuals and immigrants to those from higher social strata. He emphasized the entrepreneurial
aspect of the Greek-American owners and the socio-economic backgrounds of the young women
employed as taxi dancers, shedding light on their motivations and backgrounds.

The ethnographic works, however, have not missed out on the developments across the field and have
only focused on Chicago because of their relatively recent dates. The ethnographies were abundant, but
they lacked analytical evaluation, except from this. Robert Park was an exception to this, although the
succeeding Chicago School ethnographers did not successfully adopt his views. He accepted the
ecological viewpoint while also advancing to a broader sociological comprehension. Hannerz claims that
the majority of Chicago researchers placed more emphasis on the practical side of urban living and
viewed unconventionality as a sign of disorganisation. Responses to the ecological perspective were
conflicting. As it restricted the spatial dynamics, it was viewed as a poor analogy. The ethnographic
works by Chicago school may have faced some criticisms as discussed above, but it still remains a good
body of work that provides a ground reality perspective on urban phenomena