The Origins and Influences of Urbanization

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining key concepts related to urbanization.

Urbanization

The movement of people from rural areas to cities.

Urban

Relating to a city.

Rural

Area located outside of towns and cities, encompassing all space, population, and housing not included in an urban area.

First Urban Revolution

Agricultural and socioeconomic innovations that led to the rise of early cities.

Urban Hearth Areas

Regions where large cities first existed, such as Mesopotamia or the Nile Valley.

Site factors

Physical factors influencing city origin and function, including climate, landforms, and soil fertility.

Situation factors

Relative location factors that dictate the function of a city.

Diffusion of Urbanization

The process by which cities evolved spontaneously as humans improved agricultural production.

Borchert's Epochs of American Urbanization

A series of four stages that describe the evolution of urban growth in America.

Rural to Urban Migration

The movement of people, typically farmers, from rural settlements to urban centers in search of jobs.

Favelas

Households that cannot provide basic living conditions, often found in urban areas of developing countries.

Economic Development

The impact of a city's economic function on urbanization, such as government, manufacturing, tourism, and services.

Government Policies

Strategies employed by governments to attract businesses and boost the economy.

Forward Capitals

Capital cities that have been relocated to improve infrastructure and administrative efficiency.