Borchert's Epochs
Encyclopedia
Borchert's epochs refer to five distinct periods in the history of American
urbanization
. Each epoch is characerized by the impact of a particular transport technology on the creation and differential rates of growth of American
cities. This model was conceptualized by University of Minnesota
geographer John R. Borchert in 1967. The five epochs identified by Borchert are:
Borchert did not provide an ending date for his fifth epoch. Subsequent researchers (for example Phillips and Brunn) have proposed extension of Borchert's model with new epochs to take into account late 20th century developments in the pattern of metropolitan growth and decline in the United States.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
urbanization
Urbanization
Urbanization, urbanisation or urban drift is the physical growth of urban areas as a result of global change. The United Nations projected that half of the world's population would live in urban areas at the end of 2008....
. Each epoch is characerized by the impact of a particular transport technology on the creation and differential rates of growth of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
cities. This model was conceptualized by University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
geographer John R. Borchert in 1967. The five epochs identified by Borchert are:
- Sail-Wagon Epoch (1790–1830),
- Iron Horse Epoch (1830–1870), characterized by impact of steam engine technology, and development of steamboats and regional railroad networks.
- Steel Rail Epoch (1870–1920), dominated by the development of long haul railroads and a national railroad network.
- Auto-Air-Amenity Epoch (1920–1970)
- Satellite-Electronic-Jet Propulsion (1970-?)
Borchert did not provide an ending date for his fifth epoch. Subsequent researchers (for example Phillips and Brunn) have proposed extension of Borchert's model with new epochs to take into account late 20th century developments in the pattern of metropolitan growth and decline in the United States.