Community Typologies, Formal and Informal Sectors

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to types of communities and economic sectors.

Community Typology

A system for classifying communities based on shared characteristics such as population density, geography, and economic structure; main categories are urban, suburban, and rural.

Urban Community

A highly congested settlement with a dense population that can reach millions, characterized by closely packed buildings, high-rise residences, and proximity of factories, offices, schools, markets, and leisure areas.

Suburban Community

A settlement on the outskirts of an urban area with medium population density; dominated by houses and subdivisions, low- to mid-rise buildings, larger living spaces, and greater distances to schools and markets.

Rural Community

A sparsely populated countryside settlement where houses are far apart, access to schools and markets requires long travel, and livelihoods center on farming and livestock raising.

Population Density

The number of people living per unit area; highest in urban communities, moderate in suburban areas, and lowest in rural settings.

Formal Sector

Legally registered establishments and enterprises that meet government licensing requirements, pay taxes, and whose workers and customers are protected by state regulations.

Informal Sector

Economic activities and businesses lacking government licenses and oversight, untaxed, and offering limited legal protection to workers and consumers.

Shadow Economy

Another term for the informal sector, highlighting its operation outside government supervision and regulation.

Outskirts

Peripheral zones of a city where suburban communities are commonly located.

Livestock Raising

The agricultural practice of breeding and caring for farm animals, a common source of livelihood in rural communities.

Bargaining Rights

The ability of workers or consumers to negotiate wages, prices, or conditions; often weak or absent in the informal sector due to lack of legal protection.