Urban Geography 6B

Medieval cities

Medieval cities

Cities that developed in Europe between the fall of the Roman Empire and the end of the Renaissance that contain features of extreme density with narrow buildings, winding streets, an prominent church or cathedral in the city center, and high walls surrounding the city for defense

Megalopolis

Several metropolitan areas that have joined together to form a large, sprawling urban complex. Also called an urban conurbation.

Primate city

The largest city in a county only when it is significantly more than twice the size of the next largest city. The city is disproportionately larger in size and in cultural, economic, and political influence.

Squatter settlements

Residential areas characterized by extreme poverty that exist usually on the outskirts of cities in developing countries or in an otherwise undesirable area of the city. They are most caused by unsustainable rural-to-urban migration and an insufficient supply of housing or public services. The occupants usually do not own or rent the space occupied and often construct temporary shelter.

Latin American cities

Cities that have developed as a result of colonialism, industrialization, and rapid population growth to have distinct sectors and rings of residential and industrial development emanating from the central business district. They are most characterized by an elite residential sector surrounding a commercial spine and the squatter settlements that ring around the periphery.

Urban revitalization

The process of redeveloping decaying inner-city neighborhoods with new shopping districts, entertainment venues, and cultural attractions to encourage young urban professionals back into the cities for greater access to nightlife, cultural amenities, and shorter commutes to work.

Metropolitan area

As defined in the United States, an urban area consisting of a city over 50,000 in population, its county, and any surrounding suburban counties with high enough density and commuting patterns. The city and its surrounding suburbs function as a coherent economic entity.

White flight

Abandonment of cities by wealthy and middle-income white residents who left cities for the suburbs in the midst of desegregation

Rank-size rule

Mathematical relationship of cities by population within a country or region. It states that the nth city by size should be 1/nth the size of the largest city in that country

Megacities

Cities, mostly characteristic of the developing world, where high population growth and rapid rural-to-urban migration have resulted in large cities (over 10 million in population) plagued by chaotic and unplanned growth, terrible pollution, and widespread poverty

Suburbs

Residential areas located outside central cities that are relatively homogeneous in population.

New urbanism

A movement in urban planning to promote mixed-use, mixed-density, and mixed-resident commercial and residential development focused on pedestrian-friendly, community-oriented cities

Sector Model

Urban model of land use developed by Hoyt that places the central business district in the middle with wedge-shaped areas radiating outward from the CBD along transportation corridors

Urban sprawl

The process of expansive suburban development over large areas in low-density, discontinuous arrangements and in which the automobile provides the primary source of transportation

Metacities

Larger versions of megacities, typically over 20 million in population

Urban-growth boundaries

Geographical limits defined around cities to limit suburban growth. An example of a smart growth strategy.

Node

Any geographic center of activities

Segregation (de facto segregation)

Process, formerly promoted by legal means but now happens as a result of suburbanization and zoning ordinances, in which wealthy families move to homogeneous suburban neighborhoods. Lower-income residents remain isolated in inner-city neighborhoods.

Urban morphology

The physical form of a city or urban area. Typically defined by the size, shape, and function of the city.

Multiple-nuclei Model

Urban model wherein cities have numerous centers, or focal points, of economic and cultural activity. Described by Harris and Ullman to represent newer, decentralized cities, growing in an era of increased automobile usage