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

Urbanization

Process of increasing population in urban areas.

Suburbanization

Process where people move from cities to suburban areas.

Megacities

Extremely large urban areas with a population exceeding 10 million.

Global Cities

Cities that function at the top of the urban hierarchy and significantly influence global economics and culture.

Rank-Size Rule

A city’s population is inversely proportional to its rank.

Primate City

A city that is significantly larger than its next largest competitor within the country.

Burgess Concentric Zone Model

Cities grow outward in concentric circles from the center.

Hoyt Sector Model

Urban land use is arranged in sectors radiating out from the central business district.

Multiple Nuclei Model

Cities develop around multiple centers of activity.

Galactic City Model

Urban form extends outward from a central city into suburbs, reflecting post-industrial development.

Edge Cities

Suburban centers with office space, retail, and entertainment.

Global Cities

Cities that function at the top of the urban hierarchy, influencing global economics and culture.

Rank-Size Rule

A city’s population is inversely proportional to its rank.

Burgess Concentric Zone Model

Cities grow outward in concentric circles from the center.

Gravity Model

Larger cities exert more pull on potential migrants and businesses.

Smart Growth Principles

Emphasize efficient land use, conservation of resources, and community development.

Burgess Concentric Zone Model

Model describing how cities grow outward in concentric circles from the center.

Housing Density

The classification of residential areas based on the number of housing units per acre, including low-density (single-family homes), medium-density (townhouses, some apartments), and high-density (high-rise apartments, condos).