What characterizes the Multiple Nuclei Model?

• A. The city has several centers (nuclei) such as CBD, port, university, airport, and wholesale, connected by edges and corridors.
• B. The city has a single dominant CBD with surrounding uniform zones.
• C. Land uses are organized strictly in sectors radiating from the CBD.
• D. There are no centers; land uses diffuse evenly.

Answer: (D)

The Multiple Nuclei Model describes a city that forms around several centers of activity, not just one downtown core. In this view, different districts become nuclei—the central business area, a port, a university, an airport, a wholesale district, and other nodes—each attracting particular land uses and growing around its own center. These nuclei are linked by transportation edges and corridors, so the urban fabric develops as a network of specialized centers rather than a single, dominant center. This polycentric pattern contrasts with a monocentric layout, where everything revolves around one CBD, or with a sector model where land uses radiate out in wedges from the center, or with a diffuse pattern that lacks clear centers. So the description that emphasizes multiple centers connected by corridors best captures the Multiple Nuclei Model.