Chapter 6: Urban Structure and Patterns

Urban profile

How the horizon of a settlement looks from the side.

Land use zone

An area within an urban settlement where one specific function or activity is dominant.

CBD (Central Business District)

The heart of the city. Focuses on all activities and most higher order functions are there. Has tall buildings.

Transitional Zone

Area around the CBD which is neglected. Constantly changing, high demand for land. Mixed land use: commercial, warehouses, or residential.

Residential Areas

Where people live, away from the CBD. Can be high or low density/income.

Suburban Office Parks

Business centres with gardens and parking, located near residential areas.

Suburban Shopping Centres

Large retail centres in or close to residential areas, accessible to all. Example: The Grove.

Industrial Areas

Areas far away from CBDs. Light industries usually in transitional zones. Heavy industries are far out but near infrastructure.

Rural-Urban Fringe

Where the urban area gradually goes into the rural area. Urban sprawl usually takes place here.

What are the physical factors that influence the morphological structure of a city

Relief (e.g. Cape Town between Table Mountain and harbour), micro-climate (e.g. Johannesburg expanded north due to warmer slopes), and soil (e.g. New York built on granite, therefore skyscrapers).

Planned city

A city planned as one unit. Example: Sasolburg.

Not planned city

No specific core, rapid development. Example: Kimberley.

Gradually planned city

Suburbs all look different as they were developed at different times.

How does transport affect urban structure

Development of transport systems increases sales of cars. People stay further from the city centre and commute to work, causing urban sprawl along transport routes.

Circular city shape

City developed around a focus point.

Geometric city shape

Planned before layout, for security during the Middle Ages.

Star city shape

City built in different directions along transport routes.

Linear city shape

City or town built between a river and mountain ranges.

Satellite city shape

Where a commuter town is near the city. Example: Amsterdam.

Grid street pattern advantages

Can easily be expanded and easy to lay out.

Grid street pattern disadvantages

Many crossings and traffic jams.

Radial street pattern advantages

Fewer crossings and all main roads lead to the CBD.

Radial street pattern disadvantages

Difficult to plan and layout. Size of street blocks changes constantly.

Irregular street pattern advantages

Modern, all roads look different and fewer crossings.

Irregular street pattern disadvantages

Easy to get lost and difficult to layout.

What are the 4 characteristics of buildings in urban areas

High density, low density, architectural style, and age of buildings.

Centripetal forces

Forces that attract and keep people and businesses in the CBD. Includes: site attraction, functional convenience, functional magnetism, and functional prestige.

Functional Convenience (centripetal)

Accessibility of the city centre is attractive, making it convenient to work and stay.

Functional Magnetism (centripetal)

Mutual attraction created by businesses with similar functions locating near each other.

Functional Prestige (centripetal)

Having a prestigious address in the CBD is good for status.

Centrifugal forces

Forces that drive people and businesses away from the city centre towards suburbs and the rural-urban fringe.

Spatial Force (centrifugal)

Overcrowding and congestion in the CBD push people out.

Site Force (centrifugal)

The need for special sites that cannot be found in the CBD.

Situational Force (centrifugal)

Noise, pollution and decay of the city centre push people away.

Economic Force (centrifugal)

High rents, rates and taxes in the CBD push businesses out.

Status Force (centrifugal)

The city is seen as old or regulated, whereas the periphery is seen as young and vibrant.

Invasion and Succession

Where land use in a city is no longer appropriate, a new land use takes over the original function and succeeds it. Example: former residential areas converted into hairdressers.

Façadism

When the old original front or façade of a building is retained and a new development is built behind the old façade. Example: New York Stock Exchange retains the front while behind is modernised and new.

Gentrification / Chelseafication

The modernisation and improvement of old houses close to the city centre. Example: Ghettos transformed into neighbourhoods.

Counter-Urbanisation

The movement of people and businesses away from large urban areas to smaller towns or rural areas, often driven by improved transport, remote work, and a desire for a better quality of life.

New Ruralism

A planning movement that promotes the development of sustainable, community-focused rural and small-town living, encouraging people to move away from cities to revive rural areas through mixed land use and local economies.