Urban Geography Exam Review

These flashcards cover key concepts in urban geography, including city models, gentrification, mixed-use development, public transportation, and urban planning strategies.

Concentric Zone Model

A city model that describes urban land use in a series of concentric rings, each with different functions.

Sector Model

A model of urban land use that proposes city growth in sectors or wedges emanating from the center.

Multinuclei Model

A city model that emphasizes multiple centers of growth (nuclei) rather than a single core.

Gentrification

A process of urban renewal where wealthier people move into an area, leading to displacement of original, often poorer residents.

Squatter Settlements

Informal housing areas established by people without government permission, often located in the peripheral zones of cities.

Mixed-use Development

Urban planning strategy that integrates residential, commercial, and recreational spaces in a single project.

Public Transportation

A system of transport shared by the general public that includes buses, trains, and subways, providing affordable mobility.

Central Place Theory

A spatial theory in urban geography that explains the number, size, and location of human settlements in an urban system.

Smart Growth

An urban planning approach that aims to create sustainable, efficient, and livable communities through careful land use.

Primate City

A city that is significantly larger and more influential than any other city in a country.

Threshold

The minimum number of customers needed to support a business or service.

Range

The maximum distance people are willing to travel to obtain a service or product.

Megacity

An urban area with a population of over 10 million people, often facing infrastructure and overpopulation issues.

World City

A city that acts as a central hub for international finance, trade, and culture.

Edge City

A suburban area that has developed a substantial commercial and business base, often located near highways.