Urban Geography Concepts

This set of flashcards covers key urban geography concepts and models based on the provided lecture notes.

What is the Central Business District (CBD)?

An area of a city where retail and office activities are clustered.

What is Urban Sprawl?

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas.

What is Gentrification?

The process of renovating deteriorated urban neighborhoods.

What is a Squatter Settlement?

An area within a city in a less developed country where people illegally establish residences.

Define Zoning Ordinances.

Laws that regulate land use and development.

What is the Sector Model?

A model that represents urban land use by sectors radiating out from the city center.

What does 'White Flight' refer to?

The tendency of middle-class white people to leave neighborhoods as minorities move in.

What is a Forward Capital?

A capital city deliberately relocated for economic or political reasons.

Define Disamenity Zones.

Areas in a city that are in decline and devoid of basic services.

What is the meaning of Urban Infilling?

The process of developing vacant or under-used parcels within previously developed areas.

What is Smart Growth?

Urban planning strategies that promote sustainable and healthy communities.

What is the Rank-size Rule?

A principle stating that the population of a city is inversely proportional to its rank.

Define Greenbelts.

Zones of protected land surrounding urban areas to limit sprawl.

What is a Boomburb?

A suburban area experiencing rapid population growth.

What does the Gravity Model represent?

A model that estimates the interaction between two locations based on their size and distance.

What is the Multiple Nuclei Model?

A model that suggests cities have multiple centers of development.

Define the Peripheral Model (Galactic City Model).

A model that explains urban decentralization and the influence of suburbs.

What is the significance of Census Tracts?

Small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county.

What does Mixed-use Development entail?

The combination of residential, commercial, and cultural spaces within one area.

What are World Cities?

Cities that have influence on a global scale, often serving as major economic hubs.

Define the concept of Threshold in Central Place Theory.

The minimum market size required to support a particular business.

What is the meaning of Urbanized Area?

An area characterized by high population density and vast human-built features.

What is Inclusionary Zoning?

A land-use regulation that requires a share of new construction to be affordable for people with low to moderate incomes.