Urban Ecology Test 10/26

Urbanization

City growth and expansion into natural areas.

Why Cities Grow

More jobs, schools, services, customers, and opportunities.

Benefits of Urban Density

Easier transportation and access to services.

Challenges of Urban Density

More traffic, pollution, and less green space.

Pavement Effects

Less habitat and infiltration; more runoff, flooding, and heat.

Compact Development

Buildings close together; easier walking, biking, and transit.

Urban Sprawl

Spread-out development; more driving, traffic, and pollution.

Sustainable Transportation

Walking, biking, and transit reduce fuel use and pollution.

Transportation Equity

Fair access to transportation and opportunities.

Environmental Justice

Fair environmental protection and community involvement.

Redlining

Historical discrimination that contributed to unequal neighborhood resources.

Effects of Unequal Development

Fewer trees and parks, more heat and pollution.

Unequal Environmental Hazards

Unequal exposure to pollution, flooding, and heat.

Unequal Environmental Benefits

Unequal access to parks, trees, and clean air.

Shade

Cools areas by blocking sunlight.

Evapotranspiration

Plants release water vapor, cooling the air.

Heat Vulnerability

Depends on trees, buildings, income, health, age, and cooling access.

Benefits of Parks

Shade, recreation, wildlife habitat, and flood control.

Park Trade-Off

Parks help the environment but may raise rents and displace residents.

Trees

Provide shade, absorb CO₂, and filter air.

Soil

Absorbs and filters water.

Wetlands

Store floodwater and provide wildlife habitat.

Green Roofs

Absorb rain, reduce heat, and insulate buildings.

Rain Gardens

Capture runoff and filter pollutants.

Infiltration

Water soaks into the ground.

Runoff

Water flows over the ground.

Excess Runoff

Causes flooding and carries pollutants into waterways.

Green Infrastructure

Natural or designed features that manage water and reduce heat.

Bioswale

Vegetated channel that directs and filters runoff.

Permeable Pavement

Allows water to soak through.

Retention Area

Stores stormwater and reduces flooding.

LEED

Green building certification that evaluates sustainability.

Waste Prevention

Avoid creating waste.

Reuse

Use an item again.

Repair

Fix an item instead of replacing it.

Composting

Turn organic waste into nutrient-rich material.

Recycling

Process used materials into new products.

Life-Cycle Thinking

Considers a product's impacts from raw materials to disposal.

Parking Lot Effects

More runoff, flood risk, and heat.

Compact vs. Sprawling Cities

Compact cities support transit; sprawling cities require more driving.

Park Benefits and Trade-Offs

Reduces flooding and adds green space, but rents may rise.

Unequal Neighborhood Risks

Different trees, traffic, pavement, industry, and planning create different risks.

Trees at School

Provide shade, cool areas, absorb rain, and support wildlife.

Rain Gardens at School

Absorb rainwater and filter pollutants.