The model has been challenged by many contemporary urban geographers. Firstly, the model does not work well with cities outside the United States, in particular with those developed under different historical contexts. Even in the United States, because of changes such as advancement in transportation and information technology and transformation in global economy, cities are no longer organized with clear "zones" (see: Los Angeles School of Urban Analysis).
• It assumes an isotropic plain - an even, unchanging landscape. Physical features
can interrupt the cycle
• Assumes transportation is the same everywhere and does not take into account better methods of
transportation
• It is based primarily on residences