DRQ4 Khartourm-Omdurman

(a) CBD is located in the centre of the city at the confluence of the White and Blue Nile.
The commercial zone is surrounded by high and low status residential zones. The slum is separated from the commercial zone by low and high status housing. While a mix of housing status can be found around the CBD, most of the slums are located some distance away.
(b) (i) The wedge pattern of low and middle status housing along the river is very similar to the model and so does the development of ‘sectors ‘ of mid-status housing with no direct boundary with the CBD. However, unlike the model, the lowest housing status (slums) are not found around the CBD, in fact they are located some distance away.

(ii)The explanation provided by the model is also unlikely to be valid given the absence of the manufacturing zone. The city is therefore more likely to depend on trade rather than production. The poor need not locate near the CBD (with the classical notion about lower transport cost) since jobs are not necessary found there! The low status housing are probably part of the old city and thus unsuited for modern living, hence the low cost. As such historical factor plays a critical role in the form of this city. Been located along the river also means the physical barrier act as a control on the expansion of the city