Final answer:
In American cities, the poorest citizens usually live in the inner city, which is near the CBD, in contrast to Latin American cities where the poor often reside in the far suburbs. Urban models like the concentric zone model and the sector model illustrate patterns of residential areas, showing poorer residents in transition zones or downwind from industrial areas.
Step-by-step explanation:
In American cities, the poorest citizens typically live in the inner city near the Central Business District (CBD). This contrasts with the pattern observed in Latin American cities, where the poorest often live in the far suburbs. In the United States, the movement of middle-class families to the suburbs has left the inner city with dwindling economic resources, thus becoming an area where many of the underclass or urban poor reside. The underclass are often unemployed or underemployed, and many depend on welfare systems for assistance.
In terms of urban models, the concentric zone model can help to understand the layout of American cities. Zone B of this model is often characterized by formerly wealthy homes divided into cheap apartments, indicative of the kind of housing that might be found in areas populated by poorer residents. Moreover, the sector model also indicates that poorer individuals often live in areas downwind from industrial zones—often the eastern halves of cities—or along busy, smoggy transportation routes.
It's important to note that in the US, unlike many Latin American cities, suburban zones generally house the middle to upper classes and offer better living conditions, including access to more city services and infrastructure.