Ap human geo unit 5

First urban revolution

The historical period when small, agricultural villages transitioned into large, complex urban societies, marked by the development of the first cities and fueled by the advancements in agriculture that allowed for more food production and the specialization of labor

Urban

A densely populated area, typically including cities and towns, where there is a high concentration of human structures like buildings and roads

Urbanization

The process where a large population shifts from rural areas to urban areas, resulting in the growth of cities and a decrease in rural areas

Mega city

An urban area with a population exceeding 10 million people

Site

The exact physical location of a settlement or city, including its inherent characteristics of the land it is built upon, including features like topography, climate, soil quality, and vegetation

Situation

The location of a place in relation to its surrounding features

Meta city

An urban area with a population exceeding 20 million people

Central city

The main urban core of a metropolitan area

Metropolitan statistical area

A region that includes a central urban area with a population of at least 50,000 people, along with surrounding countries that have a high degree of economic and social integration with the core city

Megalopolis

A very large, densely populated urban region formed when several metropolitan areas essentially merge together, creating a continuous network of cities and suburbs with extensive transportation systems and shared economic activity.

Clustered settlement pattern

A type of rural settlement where a large number of houses and buildings are situated close together, often around a central point like a village square, creating a compact community with farmland surrounding the built-up area

Disamenity zone

A specific area within a city, usually in a developing country, characterized by a lack of basic infrastructure, poor sanitation, high crime rates, and limited access to essential services like healthcare and education, often found in slums

Squatter settlements

An area where people build homes on land they do not legally own, usually on the outskirts of a city in a developing country, creating makeshift housing due to a lack of affordable housing options, often lacking basic infrastructure and government services

Hoyt’s sector model

A theory that describes a city’s development as a series of wedge-shaped sectors radiating outward from the central business district (CBD), where different land uses like residential areas of varying income levels and industrial zones expand along transportation lines, creating distinct sectors with similar characteristics within each “wedge”

Harris and Ullman’s multiple nuclei model

A theory of urban land uses that suggests cities develop around multiple centers, or “nuclei,” rather than a single central business district, with each nucleus serving a distinct function and attracting specific types of activities, thus creating a complex pattern of urban growth

The galactic city model

A concept that describes a modern urban landscape where a central city is surrounding by a network of suburban areas, commercial centers, and industrial parks connected by major highways, essentially resembling a galaxy with the central city as its core

Suburb

A residential area located on the outskirts of a city, typically characterized by lower population density, single-family homes, and a commuting distance to the central urban area for work or services

Green belt

A ring of land around a city that includes parks, farms, and other open spaces

Smart growth policies

Urban planning strategies that aim to create compact, walkable communities by promoting mixed-use development, public transportation access, and the preservation of green spaces

Exurb

A residential area located beyond the traditional suburban zone, situated at the edge of a metropolitan area, with a low population density, and often characterized by commuting connections to the urban center

Sprawl

The rapid expansion of urban development outwards from a city center

Zoning ordinances

A local law that regulates how lands can be used within a municipality, typically dividing areas into distincts zones for specific purposes like residential, commercial, or industrial, essentially dictating what types of development can occur in each area

Density gradient

The gradual decrease in population density as you move away from the central business district of a city

Infrastructure

The fundamental physical systems and facilities that support a society’s functioning

Urban renewal

The process of redeveloping a declining or belighted area within a city, often involving the demolition of old structures and construction of new buildings and infrastructure to revitalize the neighborhood and increase property values

Gentrification

Urban renewal that leads to the displacement of the occupying demographic

Infill development

The construction of new buildings on previously unused or underutilized land within an existing urban area

Mixed-use development

Combines residential, commercial, cultural, or institutional functions into a building, block, or neighborhood

Transit-oriented development

A type of urban planning strategy that focuses on creating compact, mixed-use communities centered around public transportation hubs, promoting walkability, and minimizing car dependence by placing housing, businesses, and amenities within close proximity to train stations or bus stops

Walkability

The degree to which a built environment allows people to easily access essential services, amenities, and destinations on foot within a reasonable distance

New urbanism

Seeks to encourage local community development and sustainable growth in an urban area

Housing affordability

The ability of individuals or families within a given area to pay for housing without significantly impacting their quality of life or financial stability