Urban World Exam 2

Where is the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, What does it encompass?

Located in North Texas, the DFW metro area includes Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding suburbs. It is one of the largest and fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S.

What are some differences between Dallas and Fort Worth?

Dallas is known for its financial, technological, and commercial sectors, while Fort Worth has a more Western heritage, focusing on cattle, oil, and military industries.

What is a suburb, What are some characteristics of suburbs?

A suburb is a residential area on the outskirts of a city, typically featuring lower-density housing, more green space, single-family homes, and car-dependent infrastructure.

What is a streetcar suburb, Why is it named as such, What do streetcar suburbs tend to look like?

Streetcar suburbs are early suburbs developed along streetcar lines in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by denser, walkable neighborhoods with a grid layout.

How, and why, did metropolitan areas expand so dramatically after World War II?

Expansion was driven by economic prosperity, a housing boom, and increased car ownership. People sought more space, affordable housing, and better living conditions in the suburbs.

What did post-war suburbs look like?

Post-war suburbs had uniform single-family homes, spacious yards, and cul-de-sac street designs, emphasizing car accessibility.

What are "Levittowns?"

Levittowns were mass-produced suburban developments created by the Levitt family, offering affordable housing to returning WWII veterans.

What government policies contributed to suburbanization during this period?

Policies included the GI Bill, which provided low-cost home loans, and the Federal-Aid Highway Act, which funded the construction of highways, facilitating suburban growth.

How have cities in the DFW metro area grown over the past few decades?

DFW has seen rapid growth through economic development, population increase, and suburban sprawl, becoming a major hub for business and residents.

Where has this growth taken place?

Growth has primarily occurred in the northern suburbs, like Plano, Frisco, and McKinney, as well as in other areas like Arlington and Irving.

What is the "American Dream?"

The American Dream is the belief that anyone can achieve success through hard work, often symbolized by homeownership, stability, and upward mobility.

What does the "American Dream" look like, What stereotypes does it embody?

It is often visualized as a house with a white picket fence, a car, and a nuclear family, embodying ideals of prosperity, security, and social status.

How do race and gender factor into the American Dream?

The traditional American Dream has often been associated with white, middle-class families, with barriers for racial minorities and women, reflecting historical inequalities.

How is the American Dream associated with urban space in the United States?

The dream is linked to suburbanization, where homeownership is a symbol of success, leading to patterns of white flight and urban sprawl.

In what ways is 20th-century American suburbanization associated with Cold War geopolitics?

Suburbanization was tied to the Cold War by promoting a stable, family-centered lifestyle that contrasted with the communist ideal, emphasizing capitalism and prosperity.

What is an "edge city," What are their characteristics?

An edge city is a suburban commercial center with a mix of office buildings, retail, and residential areas. It is characterized by high job density and a focus on services and corporate offices.

Where are "edge cities" located in the DFW metropolitan area?

Edge cities in DFW include Plano, Irving (Las Colinas), Frisco, and Richardson, all of which have large corporate offices, retail centers, and residential developments.

Where are corporate headquarters located within the DFW metropolitan area?, What is the corporate geography of the region?

Corporate headquarters are spread throughout DFW, with many in Plano, Irving, Downtown Dallas, and Fort Worth, often clustered in edge cities and business districts.

Where do jobs tend to be located within DFW, What types of jobs are located in different types of areas?

Jobs in finance, tech, and corporate sectors are often in edge cities, while service jobs are distributed across both central and suburban areas.

Among large US metropolitan areas, which have the greatest proportion of commuters driving alone to work, In which metropolitan areas is public transportation most prevalent?

Cities like Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta have high rates of solo driving. In contrast, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco have the highest public transportation use.

How is automobility linked with suburbanization in the United States? What impacts has automobility had on American cities?

Automobility enabled suburban growth by making longer commutes possible, leading to urban sprawl, increased car dependency, and less investment in public transit. It has reshaped cities to prioritize roads, parking, and car infrastructure over pedestrian-friendly spaces.

Where is the Detroit metropolitan area, What does it encompass?

Located in southeast Michigan, the Detroit metro area includes Detroit and its surrounding suburbs, such as Dearborn, Southfield, Troy, and others, forming a core part of the Great Lakes region.

Who is Henry Ford, What impact did he have on Detroit?

Henry Ford was the founder of the Ford Motor Company and revolutionized the auto industry with the assembly line. His innovations made Detroit the center of the automobile industry, boosting the city's economy and attracting workers.

How has Detroit's population changed over time, When did it peak?

Detroit's population grew rapidly in the early 20th century, peaking in the 1950s. Since then, it has experienced a steady decline due to deindustrialization, suburbanization, and economic changes.

What is the "Great Migration?"

The Great Migration was a mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to northern and midwestern cities, including Detroit, primarily during the early-to-mid 20th century.

What are some of the factors that influenced the Great Migration?

Influencing factors included racism and violence in the South, economic opportunities in northern industries, and the pursuit of better living conditions.

Who participated in the Great Migration?

Predominantly African Americans from Southern states moved to cities like Detroit, Chicago, New York, and others in search of jobs and civil rights.

Where did migrants in the Great Migration tend to resettle?

Migrants resettled in northern industrial cities like Detroit, where job opportunities in factories, including the auto industry, were abundant.

How did the geography of the African-American population in the United States change during the 20th century?

The Great Migration reshaped the U.S. by shifting a significant portion of the African-American population from the South to urban centers in the North and Midwest.

What is segregation?

Segregation is the separation of groups based on race, class, or ethnicity, often resulting in unequal access to resources and services.

How does "sorting" influence segregation?

Sorting occurs when people self-segregate based on preferences or socio-economic factors, reinforcing geographic divides.

How does "discrimination" influence segregation?

Discrimination enforces segregation by limiting access to housing, jobs, and services based on race or ethnicity, often supported by legal or informal barriers.

What government policies influenced racial segregation in the United States, In Detroit?

Policies like redlining, restrictive covenants, urban renewal, and highway construction reinforced segregation in Detroit and other cities.

What is the HOLC, and what was its ratings system?

The Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) was a federal agency that created a neighborhood ratings system to assess mortgage risk, often rating neighborhoods with higher African-American populations as "high risk."

What factors influenced HOLC's ratings system?

Factors included racial demographics, socio-economic status, and perceived "desirability" of the neighborhood.

What is "redlining" and how is it related to segregation within cities?

Redlining refers to the denial of loans or insurance to certain areas, often based on racial composition, perpetuating racial segregation and economic disparities in cities.

Restrictive covenants?

Legal agreements preventing the sale or rental of properties to certain racial or ethnic groups.

Blockbusting?

Practice where real estate agents encouraged white homeowners to sell cheaply, claiming minority groups moving in would lower property values.

Racial steering?

Real estate agents directing potential buyers towards or away from certain neighborhoods based on race.

The Fair Housing Act?

Passed in 1968 to prohibit housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin.

"White flight"?

The mass migration of white residents from urban centers to suburbs, often in response to racial integration.

How did the racial geography of Detroit's population shift over the course of the 20th century?

Initially, Detroit was predominantly white, but African-American populations grew significantly during the Great Migration. Post-1960s, white flight to suburbs and continued African-American settlement in the city transformed its demographics.

What does Detroit's racial geography look like now?

Detroit remains a predominantly African-American city, while the suburbs are more racially diverse, but still largely white and wealthier.

What is 8 Mile Road in Detroit, Why is it significant?

8 Mile Road is a boundary separating Detroit from the suburbs, symbolizing racial and economic divides between the city and surrounding areas.

What is the Rust Belt, Where is it located?

The Rust Belt is a region of the Midwest and Northeast, marked by economic decline, deindustrialization, and population loss. It includes cities like Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and others.

What are the "Big 3" automobile companies in the US, and why are they significant to Detroit?

The "Big 3" are Ford, General Motors (GM), and Chrysler. They are historically significant to Detroit as they established the city as the center of the U.S. auto industry.

How has manufacturing employment changed in the US since 2000, In Michigan?

Manufacturing employment in the U.S. and Michigan has declined sharply due to globalization, automation, and shifts toward a service-based economy.

What is the Packard Automobile Plant in Detroit, What does it represent to Detroit residents?

The Packard Plant is an abandoned automobile factory that symbolizes Detroit's industrial past, decline, and attempts at renewal.

In what ways does Detroit represent the "Great Divergence" discussed earlier this semester in the context of the Bay Area?

Detroit exemplifies the "Great Divergence" by showing how deindustrialization, racial segregation, and disinvestment led to economic decline, contrasting with the economic boom of tech hubs like the Bay Area.

What is "urban blight," How does this manifest itself in the context of Detroit?

Urban blight refers to physical decay and abandonment of buildings and neighborhoods. In Detroit, it is evident in vacant homes, abandoned factories, and underfunded infrastructure.

What are the largest metropolitan areas in Canada, How does this compare to the United States?

The largest metropolitan areas in Canada are Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. While similar in structure, U.S. metro areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago are generally larger and more diverse in terms of population size and economy.

Where is the Vancouver area, Why is it significant?

Located on the west coast of Canada in British Columbia, Vancouver is significant for its port, diverse economy, and role as a major hub for Pacific trade and immigration.

What is the immigrant composition of the US, Of Canada?

The U.S. has a high proportion of immigrants from Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean, while Canada's immigrant population is more diverse, with larger numbers from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

What countries send the most immigrants to Canada, How has this changed over time?

Historically, Canada received immigrants from Europe, but today most immigrants come from India, China, the Philippines, and Nigeria, reflecting broader changes in global migration patterns.

Push factors?

Conditions that drive people away from their home countries, such as conflict, economic hardship, or lack of opportunities.

Pull factors?

Conditions that attract people to a new country, like job opportunities, safety, or better living conditions.

Transnationalism?

The process by which immigrants maintain connections to their home countries while integrating into a new country.

Migration networks?

Social networks that help immigrants find jobs, housing, and support in the destination country, facilitating migration.

Chain migration?

When immigrants sponsor family members to join them in the destination country, creating a migration "chain."

How are Canada's cities changing due to immigration?

Immigration has led to increased diversity, the formation of ethnic enclaves, and changes in the cultural, economic, and social fabric of cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.

What is an immigrant enclave, What functions do enclaves provide, Why do immigrants settle in enclaves?

An immigrant enclave is a neighborhood with a high concentration of a particular ethnic group. Enclaves provide community support, cultural familiarity, and access to culturally relevant goods and services, making them appealing to newcomers.

How is the ethnic Chinese population distributed around the Vancouver area?

The Chinese population is concentrated in neighborhoods like Richmond, parts of Burnaby, and Vancouver's Chinatown, reflecting both historical settlement and more recent immigration.

What is a "Chinatown," What does it represent?

A Chinatown is a historically established area where Chinese immigrants and businesses are concentrated. It represents cultural identity, historical resilience, and economic activity.

What is an "ethnoburb," What does it represent?

An ethnoburb is a suburban area with a significant concentration of a particular ethnic group. It represents the suburbanization of ethnic communities and is often marked by diverse businesses, schools, and cultural centers.

How does a "Chinatown" differ from an "ethnoburb?"

Chinatowns are typically older, urban, and central, while ethnoburbs are newer, suburban, and often involve wealthier, middle-class communities.

In what ways has Chinese immigration been controversial in the Vancouver area, Why is this the case?

Controversy arises from concerns over housing affordability, cultural integration, and the impact of foreign investments on local real estate. Some locals blame Chinese immigrants for driving up property prices.

Where is the Montreal metropolitan area, Why is it significant?

Located in Quebec, Montreal is significant as a center of French-Canadian culture, commerce, and education, making it the largest French-speaking city in North America.

In what ways is religion significant to the organization of cities, Can you give an example?

Religion can influence the placement of places of worship, cultural institutions, and neighborhood identities. For example, Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal reflects the city's Catholic heritage.

What is the linguistic geography of Canada, How are different language-speakers distributed around the country?

Canada is officially bilingual, with English dominant in most provinces and French dominant in Quebec. French is also spoken in parts of New Brunswick, while large cities have diverse multilingual communities due to immigration.

How does the geography of French and English speakers differ in Montreal?

In Montreal, French speakers are more concentrated in the east, while English speakers and Anglophone communities are more common in the west.

What is Quebec's Official Language Act?

Also known as Bill 101, it establishes French as the official language of Quebec, mandating its use in government, business, and education.

What are the Parti Québécois and Bloc Québécois, Why are they significant for Quebec?

The Parti Québécois is a provincial political party advocating for Quebec sovereignty and French language rights. The Bloc Québécois is its federal counterpart, representing Quebec's interests in Parliament.

In what ways is French significant to the identity of Quebec residents, Why is this the case?

French is seen as a key marker of cultural identity, heritage, and resistance to Anglophone dominance, reflecting Quebec's unique history within Canada.

In what ways is language a controversial topic in Montreal/Quebec, Why is this the case?

Language is controversial due to debates over language laws, cultural preservation, and the balance between integration and diversity, with tensions over whether English should have more presence in public life.

Where is the Mexico City metropolitan area, What does it encompass?

Located in the Valley of Mexico, it includes Mexico City (CDMX), parts of Mexico State, and a small part of Hidalgo.

In what ways is Mexico City significant to Mexico?

It is the political, economic, cultural, and social center of Mexico, housing national government, major businesses, financial institutions, and cultural landmarks.

How is Mexico City historically significant?

It was the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan before Spanish colonization in 1521 and later became central to colonial rule, the Mexican War of Independence, and the Mexican Revolution.

How would you explain the Latin American city model?

The model features a CBD at the core, a commercial spine, high-income areas nearby, and lower-income neighborhoods further out, often including informal settlements.

How does the Latin American city model compare to North American city models?

Latin American cities are more centralized with clear income-based segregation, while North American cities are more decentralized and suburbanized with dispersed socio-economic classes.

How have the world's urban and rural populations shifted over time, How has this played out in Latin America?

The shift has been from rural to urban globally, driven by industrialization and better opportunities. In Latin America, this has led to rapid urban growth in major cities.

What is a megacity?

An urban area with a population of over ten million people.

Why have megacities grown?

Growth is driven by rural-to-urban migration, economic opportunities, and population growth.

What are the megacities in Latin America, How have they grown over time?

Major megacities include Mexico City, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro, growing due to urbanization, industrialization, and rural migration.

Why would people leave rural areas for cities, Why, in particular, might they do this in Latin America?

People seek better jobs, education, healthcare, and services; in Latin America, migration is driven by economic disparities and lack of rural opportunities.

Primary sector?

Extraction of raw materials (e.g., agriculture, mining, fishing).

Secondary sector?

Manufacturing and processing of goods (e.g., factories, construction).

Tertiary sector?

Services (e.g., retail, healthcare, education).

Quaternary sector?

Knowledge-based services (e.g., IT, research, financial services).

How has manufacturing output changed in Mexico in the past three decades?

Increased significantly due to trade agreements, foreign investment, and industrial growth.

How has sector employment changed in Mexico since 1990?

Shifted from primary to secondary and tertiary sectors, with more people working in manufacturing and services.

What is NAFTA?

North American Free Trade Agreement between Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.

Why was NAFTA enacted, What does it do?

Enacted to reduce trade barriers, promote free trade, and boost economic growth.

What impacts has NAFTA had on the Mexican economy?

Led to increased exports, foreign investment, and growth in the manufacturing sector.

What impacts has NAFTA had on population shifts within Mexico and beyond?

Stimulated migration to industrial areas and the U.S., due to job creation in manufacturing zones.

How, and where, has Mexico City's urban area expanded over time?

Expanded outward to include suburbs, informal settlements, and new business districts like Santa Fe.

Where have many rural migrants settled in the Mexico City area, What do these settlements look like?

Settled in informal settlements on the outskirts, characterized by inadequate housing, lack of infrastructure, and limited services.

What is the Santa Fe region of Mexico City, and why is it significant?

A major business district with modern infrastructure, built on former landfill areas; it symbolizes Mexico City's economic growth.

What are informal settlements, What are their characteristics?

Areas with unregulated housing, often lacking basic services, infrastructure, and formal planning.

What is the UN definition of a slum?

An area lacking one or more of the following: durable housing, sufficient living space, access to clean water, sanitation, or secure tenure.

What is the informal economy, What types of jobs are in the informal economy?

The informal economy consists of unregistered, unregulated jobs (e.g., street vending, domestic work, day labor).