Unit 6: Cities and Urban Land-Use Patterns and Processes

Urbanization and Suburbanization

• Definitions:

  • Urbanization: Process of increasing population in urban areas.

  • Suburbanization: Process where people move from cities to suburban areas.

• Driving Factors:

  • Transportation advancements (e.g., automobiles, public transit).

  • Communication technologies.

  • Population growth and migration.

  • Economic expansion and development policies.

  • Government regulations and planning policies.

• Spatial Outcomes of Urbanization:

  • Megacities: Extremely large urban areas with a population exceeding 10 million.

  • Metacities: Cities that surpass 20 million inhabitants, often found in peripheral countries.

• Suburbanization Effects:

  • Emergence of new land-use forms:

  • Edge cities: Suburban centers with office space, retail, and entertainment.

  • Exurbs: Areas beyond the suburbs, often rural or semi-rural.

  • Boomburbs: Fast-growing suburbs that develop into larger urban centers.

Globalization and Urbanization

• Global Cities:

  • Cities that function at the top of the urban hierarchy and significantly influence global economics and culture.

  • Strong global networks and connections facilitate the mediation of globalization processes.

• Key Concepts:

  • Hierarchy: Importance and ranking of cities by size and influence.

  • Interdependence: Mutual reliance between cities in economic and cultural aspects.

  • Relative Size and Spacing:

  • Rank-Size Rule: A city’s population is inversely proportional to its rank.

  • Primate City: A city that is significantly larger than its next largest competitor within the country.

  • Gravity Model: Suggests that larger cities exert more pull on potential migrants and businesses.

  • Central Place Theory (Christaller): Explains the size and distribution of human settlements through market areas.

Internal Structure of Cities

• Models and Theories:

  • Burgess Concentric Zone Model: Cities grow outward in concentric circles from the center.

  • Hoyt Sector Model: Urban land use is arranged in sectors radiating out from the central business district.

  • Harris and Ullman Multiple Nuclei Model: Cities develop around multiple centers of activity.

  • Galactic City Model: Urban form extends outward from a central city into suburbs, reflecting post-industrial development.

  • Models from Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa, which consider unique urbanization pathways.

• Residential Land Use:

  • Density Variations:

  • Low-density housing: Single-family homes, suburban sprawl.

  • Medium-density housing: Townhouses, some apartments.

  • High-density housing: High-rise apartments, condos in urban centers.

Urban Infrastructure and Policies

• Impact of Infrastructure:

  • Quality and location of infrastructure (e.g., roads, transit, utilities) heavily influence urban economic patterns and growth.

• Data Utilization:

  • Quantitative Data: From census and surveys, used to analyze demographic trends and changes.

  • Qualitative Data: From field studies, provide insights into individual experiences and perceptions regarding urban changes.

Urban Design and Sustainability Initiatives

• Design Practices:

  • Sustainable urban design incorporates mixed land-use, enhancing walkability, and transportation-oriented development.

  • Smart growth principles emphasize efficient land use, conservation of resources, and community development.

• Praise vs. Criticism:

  • Benefits: Reduced sprawl, improved livability, diverse housing.

  • Critiques: Rising housing costs, potential segregation, loss of historical character.

Geographic Change in Urban Areas

• Economic and Social Challenges:

  • Population shifts lead to housing discrimination and affordability issues (e.g., redlining, blockbusting).

  • Access to services and rising crime.

  • Conflicts over land tenure and the proliferation of squatter settlements.

• Responses to Challenges:

  • Inclusionary zoning and local movements for food accessibility.

  • Urban renewal and gentrification can have mixed outcomes.

  • Government fragmentation complicates urban policies and responses.

Urban Sustainability Challenges

• Key Issues:

  • Suburban sprawl, sanitation needs, climate impacts, and the ecological footprints of urban areas.

• Responses:

  • Regional efforts, utilizing brownfield remediation strategies, and establishing urban growth boundaries to promote sustainable development.

• Implementation Efforts:

  • Farmland protection policies help support agricultural land amid urban growth pressures.