A-Level Geography: Changing Places Revision

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What is the difference between the Burgess and Hoyt urban land use models?

Changing Places is a core part of A-Level Geography. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.

Key concepts

PlaceLocation imbued with meaning through experience and culture.

Place attachmentEmotional bond linking people to specific places.

Insider perspectiveEmbedded local knowledge; rituals, slang, hidden spaces.

Outsider perspectiveExternal view; first impressions, official descriptions.

Endogenous factorInternal: location, geology, demography, land use.

Exogenous factorExternal: relationships and flows with other places, such as people, money, investment, ideas and government policy.

RegenerationLong-term comprehensive improvement; economic, social, environmental.

RebrandingReshaping place image to attract investment or visitors.

GentrificationWealthier residents replacing original community; rents rise.

Flagship projectIconic build to spark wider change; Tate Liverpool.

StudentificationUniversity expansion changing demographics (e.g. Selly Oak).

Counter-urbanisationMovement to rural areas; common in MEDC; Norfolk, Devon.

Quantitative sourceNumerical: census, ONS data, IMD scores.

Qualitative sourceSubjective: art, poems, photos, interviews.

What your exam board covers

Where Changing Places sits in each exam board's specification. Tap a board to see what it lists.

AQAChanging placesSpec 7037

Part of: Component 2 — Human geography

Source: AQA A-level Geography (7037) specification — Subject content, accessed 23 June 2026.

OCRChanging spaces; making placesSpec H481

Part of: Human interactions

Source: OCR A Level Geography (H481) specification, accessed 23 June 2026.

Learn Changing Places step by step

Free interactive mini-lessons: short screens, worked examples and quick checks. Pick your exam board:

Other boards:CCEA Edexcel

Common mistakes to avoid

Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:

What is the difference between the Burgess and Hoyt urban land use models?✗ Burgess and Hoyt models show the same thing in different drawings. ✓ Burgess (1925) describes concentric rings radiating from the CBD; Hoyt (1939) describes sectors (wedges) extending along transport routes — recognising how transport shapes urban growth.

What is the main social impact of gentrification?✗ Gentrification only has positive effects because it makes areas nicer. ✓ Displacement of long-term lower-income residents as rents and property prices rise, often along with loss of community businesses and cultural identity — even if the area looks 'improved'.

Practise Changing Places — free games

Test yourself with these quick revision games for this topic:

▶ Two Truths, One Lie ▶ Reveal Race ▶ Connections Grid ▶ Falling Words ▶ Word Web

See all 22 games in the Revision Arcade →

Changing Places

Key concepts

What your exam board covers

Common mistakes to avoid

Practise Changing Places — free games

More A-Level Geography topics