Systems in the City: Cities as Complex Systems

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to urban systems and complexity in cities, providing a foundational understanding for the lecture on 'Systems in the City'.

Primary City

A city that is the largest in its country, province, state, or region, and disproportionately larger than any others in the urban hierarchy.

System

A regularly interacting or independent group of items forming a unified whole, often organized to explain the arrangement or workings of a systematic whole.

Population Density

The number of inhabitants per unit area, often expressed in inhabitants per km².

Subsystem

A secondary or subordinate system within a larger system that contributes to the overall function.

Mobility

The ability to move freely and easily, often in the context of transportation methods, such as walking, biking, or using public transport.

Sustainability

The ability to maintain or support an activity or process over the long term, often in relation to environmental, social, and economic factors.

Citizenship Values

The ideals and standards held by individuals within a society that guide behaviors and expectations in public life.

Placemaking

A collaborative process involving a variety of stakeholders to shape public spaces in order to maximize their value.

Urban Renewal

Programs aimed at revitalizing and improving urban areas, often involving the clearing away of dilapidated neighborhoods.

Public Realm

The spaces around, between, and within buildings that are publicly accessible, facilitating social interaction and public life.