Unit 6 Chapters 1-3

Urbanization

The movement of people from rural areas to cities.

Urban

Related to a city; typically densely populated.

Rural

Areas outside cities or towns; sparsely populated.

City

A large, permanent human settlement that acts as a commercial, cultural, and political center.

Site

The absolute location and physical characteristics of a city (e.g., rivers, hills).

Situation

The city's relative location to other places or features (e.g., proximity to trade routes).

Socioeconomic Stratification

The division of society into classes based on wealth, power, and status.

First Urban Revolution

The first emergence of cities due to agricultural surplus and social classes.

Urban Hearth

The origin points of early cities (e.g., Mesopotamia, Nile Valley).

Metropolis

A large, densely populated city that serves as a political, economic, and cultural hub.

Megacity

A city with a population of 10 million or more.

Metacity

A city with a population of 20 million or more.

Suburbanization

The movement of people from city centers to the suburbs.

Urban Sprawl

The unchecked outward expansion of a city.

Decentralization

The movement of economic and business activity from the city center to outer areas.

Edge City

A suburban area with a concentration of business, shopping, and entertainment.

Boomburb

A rapidly growing suburban city that maintains suburban characteristics but has a large population.

Exurb

A distant area beyond the suburbs, often rural, populated by wealthier families.

Globalization

The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or operate on a global scale.

Transportation Services

Infrastructure that helps people and goods move, like airports, ports, highways, railroads, etc.

Communication Systems

Tools and networks (e.g., internet, TV, satellites) that allow rapid exchange of information.

Business Services

Services that support businesses—like finance, banking, legal services, stock exchanges, and corporate HQs.

World City

A city that is a major node in the global economic system, influencing international trade, finance, and culture.

Urban Hierarchy

Ranking of cities based on importance, size, and influence (e.g., world cities sit at the top).

Natural Population Increase

Growth in population due to birth rates exceeding death rates.

Agricultural Surplus

Excess food production allowing for job specialization and urban growth.

CBD (Central Business District)

The commercial and business center of a city.

Socioeconomic Inequality

The unequal distribution of wealth, power, and resources in a society.

Tysons, Virginia

An example of an edge city near major highways, known for its retail and office parks.

Hoop Dreams

A documentary illustrating socioeconomic stratification through the lives of inner-city boys.

Infrastructure Development

The construction and improvement of foundational services and facilities in a city.

Colonization

The act of establishing control over foreign territories which influences urbanization.

Environmental Degradation

The deterioration of the environment through the depletion of resources.

Megalopolis

A region in which several large cities and their suburbs grow together.