Unit 6 AP Human Geography Concepts Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to urban planning and development concepts.

Blockbusting

A practice where real estate agents pressure homeowners to sell due to fear of declining property values from incoming ethnic groups, buying low and reselling high.

Empty Nesters

Retired individuals whose children have moved out, often downsizing from suburban to urban living.

Ethnic Neighborhoods

Areas where people of the same ethnicity reside, sharing similar cultural practices and languages.

Gentrification

A process of neighborhood renovation that increases property values and attracts middle and upper-class residents.

Ghettoization

The overwhelming of an urban area by a minority population, often a result of white flight and characterized by clustered ethnic minorities with fewer amenities.

NIMBY

An acronym for 'Not In My Back Yard', describing opposition to local developments due to concerns over property values or environmental impacts.

Peak Land Value Intersection

The point in a city where land values are highest, often located at major transportation intersections in the central business district.

Racial Steering

An illegal practice where realtors guide homebuyers towards neighborhoods based on their race.

Redlining

A discriminatory policy where banks refuse loans based on race or the racial composition of a neighborhood, leading to deterioration of impacted areas.

Squatter Settlements/Shanty Towns

Underdeveloped areas occupied by squatters, often lacking basic amenities and infrastructure due to rapid urban growth exceeding local capacity.

Social Structure

The hierarchical organization of society into classes based on income, influencing residential patterns.

Suburbanization

The migration of populations from urban areas to surrounding suburbs, often resulting in the growth of suburban residential areas.

Suburbs

Residential areas located just outside the central business district, typically characterized by lower population density and single-family homes.

Urban Revitalization

The process of renewing and improving infrastructure in urban areas that have experienced decline.

White Flight

The phenomenon whereby white residents leave neighborhoods as minority populations move in, impacting property values and demographics.

Yuppies, SINKS, and DINKS

Terms referring to young, urban professionals and couples who drive gentrification and enhance neighborhood attractiveness.

Commercial Zoning

Designated areas where business activities are allowed, restricting stores from being built in residential neighborhoods.

Industrial Zoning

Areas designated for manufacturing and industry, often facing NIMBY opposition from residents.

Residential Zoning

Land use regulations that designate areas for residential development, ensuring residential spaces are free from industrial or commercial encroachment.

Zoning

The division of land into zones, each designated for specific types of development, such as residential, commercial, or industrial.

Colonial Cities

Urban areas established by colonizers that often serve as economic and administrative centers, while disregarding local culture.

Entrepots

Import/export hubs that facilitate trade and distribution of goods between countries.

Gateway Cities

Mid-sized cities that act as economic and transportation hubs, fostering cultural and trade exchanges.

Great Cities

Large and influential urban centers known for their extensive cultural, economic, and political activities.

Islamic Cities

Urban areas structured around a central mosque, with public amenities organized around it.

Latin American Cities Model

A city model characterized by dual CBDs connected by a spine with shanty towns on the outskirts.

Megacities

Urban centers with populations over 10 million that have significant social, economic, or cultural influence.

Megalopolis (BOSNYWASH)

A massive urban region formed by the convergence of multiple cities, functioning as a single entity.

Metropolitan Areas

Regions that encompass densely populated urban centers alongside surrounding suburbs and exurbs.

Post Industrial Cities

Cities evolving from industrial focus to service-oriented economies, emphasizing revitalization and sustainability.

Primate Cities

Leading cities with significant influence in their countries, serving as cultural, economic, and political hubs.

Rank-Size Rule of Cities

A formula indicating that the largest city’s population is a multiple of the second largest’s population in a country.

World Cities

Major global urban centers exerting influence over trade, culture, politics, and economics.

Counter Urbanization

The trend of individuals moving from urban and suburban areas to rural locations for affordability.

Gated Community

A residential area secured by gates or walls, providing security and shared amenities for residents.

Greenbelts

Undeveloped areas surrounding urban regions designed to limit urban sprawl and preserve natural spaces.

Planned Community

A residential development designed to integrate housing, commercial, and recreational spaces to promote community.

Urban Sprawl

The expansion of cities and towns into suburban areas, often due to population influx and preference for single-family homes.

Bid Rent Theory

A model illustrating how land prices increase proximity to a CBD, influencing purchasing decisions.

Centralization

A governmental system where control and decision-making are concentrated in a single location.

Commercialization

The process of introducing new products or services for profit, enhancing consumer culture.

Decentralization

The distribution of power from a central authority to localized areas or communities.

Grid Street System

A street layout characterized by intersecting lines in square or rectangular patterns, facilitating navigation.

Infrastructure

Essential facilities and systems required for a society to function, including transportation and utilities.

Multiplier Effect

An economic principle indicating that investment in one sector leads to job creation and further economic growth.

Rush Hours

Peak commuting times during the day when traffic congestion typically occurs.

Uptowns

Areas near the CBD that have transformed from underutilized spaces to vibrant entertainment districts.

Central Business District (CBD)

The economic heart of a city, where a concentration of businesses and commercial activities occur.

Concentric Zone Model (Burgess Model)

A city model depicting various zones radiating from the CBD, illustrating urban social structure.

Edge Cities

Suburban developments emerging on the outskirts of cities, showcasing shifts in urban organization.

Multiple Nuclei Model (Harris/Ullman Model)

Urban model outlining multiple growth centers within a city, as opposed to a single CBD.

Office Parks

Designated areas containing solely office buildings, typically situated away from residential neighborhoods.

Sector Model (the Hoyt Model)

A city model organized by sectors radiating from the CBD based on transportation routes.

Urban Realms Model

Concept depicting several self-sufficient markets linking to a central CBD, indicating changes in urban structure.

Zone in Transition

Areas of mixed residential and commercial usage, often featuring rental properties and diverse services.

Central Place Theory

A theory explaining the distribution and size of cities based on service availability and threshold populations.

Hamlets

Small settlements lacking a formal CBD, often comprising fewer houses than villages.

Hinterland

The area surrounding a city that provides resources, labor, and markets.

Range

The maximum distance consumers will travel to access a good or service.

Threshold

The minimum population required to keep a business or service economically viable.

Town

A larger settlement than a village, offering more services and possessing a defined CBD.

Unincorporated Areas

Regions not governed by a local municipal corporation, often relying on county governance.

Villages

Small settlements typically smaller than towns, surrounded by agricultural land and providing limited services.