APES Chapter 10.5 Study Guide

 Briefly describe how a city is an ecosystem

Different parts/ niches and mechanics, biodiversity

Approximately what percent of the global population lives in urban areas / cities?

54%

The City Paradox

apparent contradiction between the necessity of cities for human development and the challenges they present

“Urban area” defined ? (US Census Bureau)

densely developed territory encompassing residential, commercial, and other non-residential urban land uses

“City” defined

an area defined by legal and political boundaries, with a formal government and taxes

Metropolitan area defined

a large central city and the adjacent communities that have a high degree of social and economic integration with that central city

Suburbs defined

parts of the metropolitan area located outside of the central city.

Exurbs defined

undeveloped / rural land areas beyond the suburbs

two advantages of urbanization and/or urban sprawl

contain ~54% of the world’s people on ~2.8% of the Earth’s land (excludes Antarctica, which is ~8.9% of Earth’s land)

Economic growth, efficient resource use and sustainability, better advancements like in education, medical, social. Reduction of wildlife stress, uses less energy, less land

 two disadvantages of urbanization and/or urban sprawl

urban populations consume ~75% of all resources and produce ~75% of the world’s pollution & wastes, lack of vegetation, a lot of heat

Provide three reasons why many cities are labeled as “unsustainable”

Landloss (fragmentation), increase water use/ runoff and flooding, more energy/gases, less economic benefits

describe “urban sprawl”

Growth of low dense development on the edges of city

Describe two potentially detrimental impacts of urban sprawl

envi degredation, pollution

 Identify two major drivers of / reasons for urban sprawl in the USA.

Transportation, population growth

Three major urban trends

A. Percentage of the Global population that lives in urban areas continues to increase, and is projected to go from about 4 billion in 2016 to ~6.6 billion in 2050. (USA specifically, the urban population was ~ 5% in 1800 and was ~82% in 2016)

B. The number and size of urban areas is increasing: in 2015, there were ~30 megacities (10+ million folks)

C. Poverty is increasingly becoming urbanized, especially in developing countries (U.N. estimate that at least 1 million people live in slums and shantytowns of most major cities in less developed countries)

Megacity defined?

urban area with a population of 10 million or more people

urban heat island effect

Human heat generation, like cars and factories

three approaches to mitigate the urban heat island effect.

Using rail systems, buses, bicycles, high speed trains

Identify and briefly describe the most widely used approach to controlling land use

Zoning- parcels of land are allocated to residential commercial or mix

 two potential drawbacks to zoning

Fragmentation and encouraging urban sprawl

Briefly describe “smart growth”, and be familiar with “tools” that might enhance smart growth, including those representing the following categories or focal areas:

Smart Growth is an urban planning approach that focuses on sustainable, efficient, and equitable development. 

Tools:Limits and Regulations, Zoning, Planning, Protection, Taxes & Tax Breaks, Revitalization and New Growth

advantages and disadvantages of each of the following transportation methods as they relate to urban areas: Buses, Rail Mass Transit, High-Speed (“Rapid”) Rail

buses still cause conjestion, rails are exspesive and can take alot of energy, rapid rails are exspesive

 Fredrick Law Olmsted

Key Contributions:

1. Central Park (New York City): Olmsted, along with his partner Calvert Vaux, won the 1858 design competition for Central Park, creating an 843-acre urban oasis that provides psychological and physiological relief from the stresses of city life.

2. Palos Verdes Peninsula Design: Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., his son, continued his legacy in the 1920s, designing parts of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, including the Malaga Cove Plaza and associated entry areas.

“the fall line”

Geological boundary where harder, erosion-resistant rock of an upland region meets softer, sedimentary rock of a coastal plain. This transition often creates a series of waterfalls or rapids along rivers.

how does the fall line RELATE to populations of people?

It can provide transportation, economical benefits, Urban development, and water power

“it” was the “solution to pollution”

dilution

define a “greenbelt”

greenbelt is a designated area of open, undeveloped land around an urban or suburban area

 USGBC

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization that focuses on advancing sustainable building practices and promoting environmentally responsible, resource-efficient construction. Its mission is to lead the transformation of the building industry towards sustainability through green building programs, advocacy, and education.

LEED

LEED is a globally recognized certification program for green buildings, established by the U.S. Green Building Council. The alphabet soup stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED focuses on promoting sustainable building practices by evaluating the environmental performance of a building in areas like energy efficiency, water use, air quality, and material selection. Its goals are to reduce environmental impact, improve occupant health and comfort, and lower operating costs.

Based on information shared in Design e2, The Green Apple, buildings use approximately what percent of the world’s energy?

The Green Apple, buildings use approximately 40% of the world’s energy. This highlights the significant environmental impact of the building sector, making sustainable building practices essential for reducing global energy consumption and promoting sustainability.