unit 6 vocab

Urbanization

The process by which the population of cities grows.

Urban Area

A central city and its surrounding built-up suburbs.

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

In the United States, a central city of at least 50,000 population and its surrounding areas.

Micropolitan Statistical Area

An urbanized area of at least 10,000 but less than 50,000 inhabitants, associated with its county.

Suburbanization

The process of population movement from urban areas to the rural-urban fringe.

Edge City

A large node of office and retail activities located on the edge of an urban area.

Megalopolis

A continuous urban complex in the northeastern United States.

Central Business District (CBD)

The downtown heart of a central city characterized by high land values and a concentration of commerce.

Concentric Zone Model (Burgess Model)

A model of urban structure where social groups are arranged in a series of concentric rings.

Sector Model (Hoyt Model)

A model of urban structure with social groups arranged in sectors or wedges radiating from the CBD.

Multiple Nuclei Model (Harris and Ullman Model)

A model of urban structure where social groups are organized around multiple independent centers.

Urban Realms Model

A model suggesting decentralization of the urban core and emergence of self-sufficient suburban realms.

Latin American City Model (Griffin-Ford Model)

A model showing a blend of traditional elements and modernity in Latin American cities.

Southeast Asian City Model (McGee Model)

A model featuring a port zone and absence of a formal CBD, with clustered urban elements.

Filtering

The process of change in the use of a house from owner occupancy to abandonment.

Redlining

A discriminatory practice in which banks deny loans based on geographic area.

Blockbusting

A tactic used by real estate agents to induce sales based on racial demographic fears.

Gentrification

The process of transforming a neighborhood from a lower-class to a more affluent area.

Urban Sprawl

The unrestricted growth of urban development into suburban and rural areas.

Underclass

A group in society unable to participate in the material benefits due to various hardships.

Squatter Settlement

Illegally established residences on land where occupants do not own or rent.

Informal Economy

Economic activity not taxed or monitored by government, outside the formal economy.

Ghettoization

The concentration of minority groups in specific neighborhoods due to social pressures.

White Flight

The movement of white residents from urban areas in response to minority in-migration.

Environmental Justice

Fair treatment of all people concerning environmental laws and policies.

Urban Decay

The deterioration of previously functioning urban areas over time.

Infrastructure

The basic physical structures needed for the operation of a society.

New Urbanism

A planning approach focusing on walkable blocks, human-scaled buildings, and mixed-use development.

Smart Growth

Legislation aimed at limiting suburban sprawl and preserving farmland.

Greenbelt

A ring of land maintained to limit urban sprawl and provide open space.

Sustainable Urban Development

Urban development that meets current needs without compromising future generations' ability.

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

Community planning focusing on high-quality public transit systems.

Mixed-Use Development

Combining different land uses, such as residential and commercial, in a single area.

Urban Renewal

Programs to revive blighted neighborhoods through acquisition and redevelopment.