The Logic of Urban Growth (Carlos Daganzo)

Carlos Daganzo’s theory of urban growth explains how cities expand based on the movement of people and goods. It considers that people choose where to live and work by balancing travel costs and accessibility—favoring locations that minimize commuting time and distance. As the city grows, neighborhoods develop outward, influenced by transportation infrastructure, land use, and economic factors. This process results in predictable patterns such as dense centers and spreading outskirts. Daganzo’s model highlights that urban expansion is a dynamic, organized process driven by mobility, land availability, and the desire to optimize travel efficiency within the city.