Urban Studies and City Planning Concepts

These flashcards cover key concepts related to urban studies and city planning, focusing on depopulation, urban sprawl, gentrification, and sustainable development.

What is depopulation?

A larger out migration from inner-cities to the surrounding suburbs.

What caused depopulation related to interstate highways?

The development of cars and interstate highways made it possible for people to live farther from the city but still access it quickly.

Define 'white flight'.

The migration of white people away from neighborhoods as black people move in.

What is a significant impact of depopulation on schools?

Some schools have to shut down if there are not enough students, leading to empty buildings.

What does urban sprawl refer to?

The rapid and uncontrolled growth of areas adjacent to city centers.

How did the GI Bill contribute to urban sprawl?

It provided education and guaranteed home loans for veterans, increasing housing demand.

What is essential about the Central Business District (CBD) of a city?

It is typically the downtown area, characterized by high density and high land prices.

Explain bid-rent theory.

Housing costs decrease as you move away from the city center.

Describe the ecological footprint issue related to urban sprawl.

Urban sprawl results in larger ecological footprints due to high energy consumption and pollution.

What is gentrification?

A process where older, struggling urban areas experience renewal or redevelopment, often leading to displacement of long-time residents.

What distinguishes mixed-use development?

It combines residential, commercial, and recreational spaces in one location.

Define smart growth.

A strategy aimed at creating sustainable and manageable growth patterns that utilize infill and promote varied building types.

What are greenbelts?

Preserved areas around a city that provide open space and reduce urban heat islands.

What is the purpose of zoning laws?

To regulate land use to maintain compatibility between different types of development.

How do changes in zoning laws support local businesses?

They may ease restrictions, allowing businesses to open in areas previously deemed unsuitable.

Explain the significance of brownfield redevelopment in urban sustainability.

It revitalizes previously used industrial sites, reducing urban sprawl and conserving green space.