SS11 Urban Studies Quiz

Urbanization

The process by which more people leave the countryside to live in cities

World’s population

More than ½ of the world’s population live in a city

Urban Settlement

Often has a large population size and high population density

First occurance

The process of urbanization first occurred during the industrial revolution

Rural-urban migration

1. urban growth - towns/cities expand, covering a greater area of land

2. Urbanization - an increasing number of people living in towns/cities

Mega city

population of 10 million people

Push factors

• famine, drought, natural disasters

• poor living conditions: housing/education/health care

• unemployment

• war and conflict/fear

Pull Factors

• employment & higher incomes

• better healthcare, housing and education

• protection from conflict

• safety/stability

• opportunity/freedom

Urban theory

• discusses and explains how cities work and develop

• models for developing cities for 20th century

Burgess model

• suggests that cities grow outwards in concentric circles/rings

• based on the city of chicago in 1925

• central business district (CBD) / downtown (A) at the core

Central Business District

• CBD or downtown

• highest land price which can only be afforded by businesses

Residential areas C/D/E

• wealthier people can afford to live further out of town in bigger houses

• houses closest to the CBD housed industry workers

• housed closest to the centre would be taken by new immigrants

Hoyt model

• made in 1939

• suggests that cities grow in sections along communication lines (roads, rivers, rail)

• zone of transition fans out from the centre along major transport routes

Hoyt residential areas

• lowest class housing is closest to the industry

• upper class housing is its own sector running from CBD

Urban growth issues

1. housing - lack of housing/can’t afford

2. water supply - shortages due to demand and poor piping systems

3. transport - too many cars; poor public transport systems

4. pollution - domestic and industrial waste contribute to land pollution in urban areas

Urban phenomena

• diversification

• suburbanization

• gentrification

Diversification

the presence or coexistence of different socio-economic/socio-demographic/ethnic/cultural groups within a certain area

Suburbanization

population shifts outwards from CBD and many residents choose to live in suburbs + commute to CBD

Gentrification

• revitalization of a neighborhood or gradual urban change

• upcycling or upgrading/upscaling of a neighborhood

• draws more people and money

Urban design blends

architecture, landscape architecture, and city planning to make urban areas functional & attractive

Urban design

process of giving form, shape and character to groups of buildings, to whole neighborhoods, and to cities

Place-making

creation of a setting that imparts a sense of place to an area (neighborhoods & communities)

Key elements

• establishing identifiable neighborhoods

• unique architecture

• identifiable landmarks

• lively commercial centres

• ground-floor retail