Unit 6 Urbanization

Urbanization

The increasing proportion of a population living in urban areas, often resulting from rural-to-urban migration and natural population growth.

Suburbanization

The process of population movement from cities to residential areas located on the outskirts of cities, often leading to the expansion of suburban areas.

Urban Sprawl

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural land, often leading to environmental degradation and increased dependence on automobiles.

Boomburbs

Rapidly growing suburban areas that are not yet fully urbanized but have become significant economic and residential centers.

Edge City

A large suburban development that has a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas, typically located at the edge of a major city.

Decentralization

The movement of economic, political, or social power away from a central authority to lower levels of government or other locations within a region.

Exurbs

The areas located beyond the suburbs, often characterized by lower-density housing, rural landscapes, and higher income levels.

Megacities

Cities with a population of over 10 million people, typically characterized by extensive infrastructure and high population density.

Metacities

Cities with populations exceeding 20 million people, often characterized by global influence and immense urban sprawl.

World City (Global City)

A city that plays a central role in global economic, political, and cultural affairs, acting as a hub for international trade, finance, and communications.

Urban Hierarchy

A ranking of cities based on their population, economic importance, and influence on global or regional scales.

Rank-Size Rule

A theory stating that the population of a city will be inversely proportional to its rank in the urban hierarchy.

Primate City

A city that is disproportionately larger than the next largest city in a country, often serving as the cultural, political, and economic center.

Gravity Model

A model that predicts the interaction between two cities based on their size and distance.

Central Place Theory (Christaller)

A theory that explains the size and distribution of settlements based on the idea that settlements serve as central places providing services to surrounding areas.

Bid-Rent Theory

A theory that explains how the price and demand for land decrease as the distance from the central business district increases.

Concentric Zone Model (Burgess)

A model of urban land use that divides cities into concentric rings.

Sector Model (Hoyt)

A model that suggests cities grow in sectors or wedges, with different land uses extending outward from the CBD along transportation routes.

Multi-Nuclei Model (Harris and Ullman)

A model that argues that cities do not grow around a single CBD, but rather multiple centers of activity develop independently.

Galactic City Model

A model of urban development that shows a decentralized city with a CBD surrounded by edge cities.

Disamenity Zone

The poorest, most underdeveloped areas of a city, often characterized by poverty and substandard housing.

Squatter Settlement

Informal housing settlements built on land that people do not own, often located on the outskirts of cities.

Low-Density Housing

Residential areas where the population is spread out over a large area.

Medium-Density Housing

Residential areas with a moderate population density.

High-Density Housing

Residential areas with a high population density, often consisting of apartment buildings.

Urban Infill (Infilling)

The process of developing vacant or underused land within a built-up urban area.

Infrastructure

The basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society.

Public Transportation

A system of transportation available to the general public, including buses, trains, and subways.

Sustainability

The ability to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Smart Growth Policies

Urban planning strategies aimed at promoting sustainable development and reducing sprawl.

Greenbelts

Areas of open land surrounding a city that are protected from urban development.

Slow-Growth Cities

Cities with relatively low rates of population and economic growth.

New Urbanism (New Urban Design)

A movement promoting the creation of walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods.

Mixed-Use Neighborhoods (Mixed Land Use)

Urban areas where residential, commercial, and recreational spaces are integrated into a single neighborhood.

Walkability

The measure of how easy and safe it is to walk within a city or neighborhood.

Livability

The overall quality of life in a given location.

Quantitative Data

Data that is expressed in numerical terms, often used in geographic analysis.

Population Composition

The structure or makeup of a population, including variables such as age, sex, race, and education.

Redlining

The discriminatory practice of denying services or charging higher rates in specific areas.

Blockbusting

The practice of persuading homeowners to sell their property at low prices by instilling fear that minority groups will move in.

Affordability

The ability of individuals or families to pay for housing and basic services.

Inclusionary Zoning

Policies that require a certain percentage of new housing developments to be affordable for low- and moderate-income residents.

Gentrification

The process by which wealthier individuals move into a lower-income neighborhood, leading to increased property values.

Zones of Abandonment (Disamenity Zones)

Areas in a city that have been abandoned or neglected.

Environmental Injustice (Environmental Racism)

The disproportionate exposure of minority or low-income communities to environmental hazards.

Ecological Footprint

A measure of human impact on the environment.

Brownfields

Abandoned or underused industrial sites that may be contaminated.