APHUG ~ Unit 6: Cities and Urban Land-Use Patterns and Processes

Cultural Convergence

The blending of cultures as ideas and technology spread, often seen in LDCs adopting traits from former colonial powers (MDCs).

Dependency Theory

The concept that poorer (periphery) countries depend on wealthier (core) countries, shaping global economic relationships.

Development

Improvement in a place’s material conditions through technology and knowledge diffusion.

Energy Consumption

A key indicator of a country’s level of development.

Foreign Direct Investment

Investment in LDCs by transnational corporations from MDCs.

Gender

Classification as male or female.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The total market value of all goods and services produced within a country. Measures economic size and prosperity.

Gross National Product (GNP)

Measures a country's total income, including foreign earnings.

Human Development Index (HDI)

Measures life expectancy, literacy, education, and GDP per capita to assess well-being.

Levels of Development

Classification of countries as MDCs (more developed) or LDCs (less developed).

Agricultural Labor Force

Percentage of a population working in agriculture; indicates economic development and living standards.

Calorie Consumption

The percentage of daily nutritional requirements met, reflecting development.

Physical Quality of Life Index

Measures literacy, infant mortality, and life expectancy on a 0–100 scale.

Neocolonialism

Continued economic control by former colonial powers over their ex-colonies post-WWII.

Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)

Adjusted exchange rate to equalize currency purchasing power, reflecting economic strength.

Technology Gap

The disparity in technological development between nations or groups.

Technology Transfer

The spread of technology and knowledge from developed to developing regions.

Third World

Term for developing countries, regardless of political alignment.

World Systems Theory/Core-Periphery Model

The idea that the global economy is divided into core (wealthy), semi-periphery, and periphery (poor) nations.

Acid Rain

Rain made acidic by atmospheric pollutants.

Agglomeration

The clustering of businesses or industries for mutual benefit.

Agglomeration Economies

Cost savings due to the concentration of businesses in urban areas.

Air Pollution

Harmful substances in the air affecting health and the environment.

Aluminum Industry

Industry balancing clean air regulations and profitability.

Assembly Line Production/Fordism

A system where workers or machines perform specific tasks to mass-produce goods efficiently.

Bid Rent Theory

Land prices and demand change based on proximity to the Central Business District (CBD).

Break-of-Bulk Point

A location where goods are transferred between transport modes.

Canadian Industrial Heartland

Canada’s main manufacturing region, centered in Central Canada, notably in the auto industry.

Carrier Efficiency

Compares shipping methods: air (fast but costly) vs. sea (slow but cheap and high capacity).

Comparative Advantage

The ability to produce goods at a lower opportunity cost than others.

Cumulative Causation

The self-reinforcing growth of an advantaged region.

Deglomeration

The dispersal of industries due to high costs or inefficiencies.

Deindustrialization

The decline of industrial activity in a region, leading to economic shift.

Economic Sectors

The economy is divided into three main sectors: Primary (raw materials), Secondary (manufacturing), and Tertiary (services).

Economies of Scale

Cost advantages gained as production increases.

Ecotourism

Environmentally responsible travel that supports conservation and local communities.

Energy Resources

Sources of energy, including renewable and non-renewable.

Entrepôt

A port where goods are imported, stored, and exported without tariffs.

Export Processing Zone (EPZ)

Areas with relaxed trade regulations to encourage foreign investment.

Fixed Costs

Business expenses that remain constant regardless of production.

Footloose Industry

Industries that can locate anywhere without being tied to resources or transport costs.

Four Tigers

The rapidly industrialized economies of Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Korea.

Greenhouse Effect

The warming of the Earth due to trapped infrared radiation.

Growth Poles

Areas where economic growth is concentrated, influencing surrounding regions.

Heartland

The central region of a country, often strategic in geopolitics.

Rimland

The coastal or border areas surrounding a core region, important in geopolitical strategy.

Industrial Location Theory

Businesses seek locations that minimize costs and maximize profits.

Industrial Regions (Place)

Areas chosen for industry based on environment and cost factors.

Industrial Regions (Fuel Source)

Areas selected based on fuel availability.

Industrial Regions (Characteristics)

Highly urbanized areas with dense industry.

Industrial Revolution

The 18th–19th century shift to mechanized production, transforming economies.

Industry

The economic sector focused on goods and services production.

Infrastructure

Public systems like roads, railways, and airports that support economic activity.

International Division of Labor

The specialization of labor across countries to enhance efficiency.

Labor-Intensive

Industries requiring a high amount of labor compared to capital.

Least-Cost Location

The optimal business location balancing land and transport costs.

Major Manufacturing Regions

Key industrial hubs: Eastern U.S., Mexico, Europe, and East Asia.

Manufacturing Exports

Goods produced in one country and sold abroad.

Industrial Parks

Areas designated for industrial activities.

Shared Services

Centralized business services used by multiple departments.

Zoning

Dividing land into areas for specific uses, like residential or industrial.

Transportation

The movement of goods and people.

Taxes

Government-mandated payments by individuals and businesses.

Environmental Considerations

Factors like climate and pollution affecting development.

Market Orientation

Tendency of industries to locate near consumers due to distribution costs.

Multiplier Effect

Increased spending leading to greater national income and economic growth.

NAFTA

A trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

Outsourcing

Shifting business operations to third parties for lower costs.

Ozone Depletion

The thinning of the ozone layer due to pollutants like CFCs.

Plant Location (Just-in-Time Delivery)

Manufacturing strategy that minimizes inventory by producing goods as needed.

Postindustrial

The transition from manufacturing-based to service-based economies.

Refrigeration

Cooling technology for preserving perishable goods during transport.

Resource Crisis

Shortages of non-renewable resources requiring alternative solutions.

Resource Orientation

Industries locating near their resource supply.

Special Economic Zones (China)

Areas with favorable trade laws to boost foreign investment.

Specialized Economic Zones

Regions with economic laws promoting trade and investment.

Substitution Principle

Replacing processes with more efficient or sustainable alternatives.

Threshold/Range

The market area required for a service to be profitable.

Time-Space Compression

The reduction of distance barriers due to technological advances.

Topocide

The destruction of a place’s identity due to industrialization.

Trade

The exchange of goods and services.

Transnational Corporation (TNC)

A company operating in multiple countries.

Ubiquitous

Found everywhere, anytime.

Variable Costs

Business expenses that fluctuate with production.

Weight-Gaining Industry

Products that increase in size during production (e.g., cars, soda).

Weight-Losing Industry

Products that shrink during production (e.g., lumber, sugar).

World Cities

Cities with global influence in economy, culture, and politics.

Fordism

Mass production using assembly lines and high wages.

Gross National Income (GNI)

GDP plus income earned abroad.

Just-in-Time Production

Manufacturing that reduces inventory by producing on demand.

Maquiladora

U.S. factories in Mexico using cheaper labor.

Transferability

The ease of moving goods between locations.

Big Box Stores

Large retail stores with extensive product selections.

Complimentary

A product given for free.