Urbanization
What is urbanization?
Urbanization is the process by which populations move from rural to urban areas, leading to the growth and expansion of cities.
What is the Concentric Zone Mode?
The Concentric Zone Model, created by Ernest Burgess, describes urban structure as a series of rings with the Central Business District (CBD) at the core.
What are some environmental challenges cities face due to urban growth?
Air pollution, water pollution, heat islands, deforestation, and waste management issues.
What is a Central Business District (CBD), and why is it significant?
The CBD is the commercial and economic core of a city, containing the highest concentration of businesses, financial institutions, and government buildings.
What role does transportation play in shaping urban land use?
Transportation influences the location of businesses, residential areas, and industrial zones, affecting commute times and city structure.
What are the primary factors driving urbanization?
Economic opportunities, industrialization, improved transportation, migration, and modernization.
How does the Hoyt Sector Model differ from the Burgess Concentric Zone Model?
The Hoyt Sector Model suggests that urban growth occurs in sectors or wedges radiating from the CBD, rather than in rings
What is urban sprawl, and what are its negative effects?
Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land, leading to traffic congestion, habitat destruction, and increased reliance on cars.
What are squatter settlements, and where are they commonly found?
Squatter settlements are informal housing areas on the outskirts of cities, often found in developing countries due to rapid urbanization and a lack of affordable housing.
How do edge cities develop, and where are they typically located?
Edge cities form on the outskirts of major metropolitan areas, often near highways and suburban developments, becoming new commercial hubs.
What is a primate city?
A primate city is a city that is significantly larger than all others in a country and dominates its economy and culture
What is the Multiple Nuclei Model, and what does it suggest about cities?
This model, proposed by Harris and Ullman, suggests that cities develop around multiple centers or "nodes" rather than a single CBD.
How can cities implement smart growth strategies?
By promoting public transit, mixed-use development, green spaces, and compact, walkable communities.
How does redlining impact urban communities?
Redlining is a discriminatory practice where banks refuse to lend money to people in certain neighborhoods, leading to economic decline and racial segregation.
What is the impact of mass transit systems on urban areas?
Mass transit reduces traffic congestion, lowers carbon emissions, and improves accessibility to different parts of a city.
What is suburbanization, and why does it occur?
Suburbanization is the movement of people from urban centers to surrounding suburbs due to factors like lower housing costs, better schools, and improved transportation.
What urban model is commonly used to describe cities in Latin America?
The Griffin-Ford Model (Latin American City Model), which features a spine of development extending from the CBD and zones of squatter settlements on the periphery.
What is gentrification, and how does it impact urban neighborhoods?
Gentrification occurs when wealthier individuals move into historically lower-income neighborhoods, leading to rising property values, displacement of residents, and cultural shifts.
What is the difference between site and situation factors in urban geography?
Site factors refer to a city's physical location (e.g., climate, landforms), while situation factors refer to its connections and accessibility to other places.
What is infrastructure, and why is it essential for urban development?
Infrastructure includes transportation networks, utilities, water supply, and communication systems that support city functions and residents.
How has urbanization contributed to the development of megacities?
Urbanization leads to rapid population growth in cities, sometimes exceeding 10 million residents, forming megacities like Tokyo, Lagos, and São Paulo.
Why do different cities around the world follow different urban models?
Cultural, economic, historical, and geographic factors shape how cities develop and expand, leading to variations in urban patterns.
How do greenbelts contribute to sustainable urban development?
What is new urbanism, and how does it aim to improve city life?
New urbanism is a planning movement that promotes walkability, mixed-use development, and sustainable design to create more livable urban environments.
Why do some cities experience traffic congestion, and what are potential solutions?
High population density, reliance on cars, and poor public transit contribute to congestion; solutions include expanding public transportation, building bike lanes, and implementing congestion pricing.