Kingwood High School 9

Characteristics of Edge Cities

• Location: Edge cities are typically situated near suburbs and on the outskirts of major metropolitan areas.

• Office and Retail Space: They contain a significant amount of office and retail space, providing various services and employment opportunities.

• Autonomy: Edge cities serve as self-sufficient communities with their own commercial and entertainment facilities, allowing residents to work and live without needing to travel into the central city.

Geographic Characteristics of Megacities

• Central Business Districts: The interior features central business districts (CBDs) where commercial activities are concentrated.

• Periphery: The outer areas often consist of informal settlements such as favelas, slums, or squatter settlements, due to rapid urban migration.

• Rapid Urbanization: Many megacities experience fast growth as people move in searching for better opportunities and living conditions.

Migration Patterns and Megacity Growth

• Interregional Migration: Growth is often due to interregional migration, where people move from rural areas or smaller cities to larger urban centers in search of jobs.

• Sources of Immigration: Migrants typically originate from inner regions, including Central and South America, and move to megacities like New York City and Mexico City.

Characteristics of World Cities

• Global Influence: World cities (e.g., New York, London, Tokyo) are major centers for finance, culture, and international politics.

• Financial Institutions: They house significant financial institutions and generally have a diverse economic base.

• Transportation Hubs: They often serve as major transportation hubs with extensive infrastructure for both air and ground travel.

Urban Economic Concepts

• Range: This refers to the maximum distance people are willing to travel for a service (e.g., hospital visits).

• Central Place Theory: Explains spatial patterns of urban centers based on the distribution of services and market areas.

Urban Structure and Income Distribution

• Central Business District Prices: The land prices in CBDs are typically the highest due to demand for commercial space.

• Low-Income Housing: Low-income groups often reside in outer regions or ethnic enclaves around cities, where housing is more affordable.

Suburban Growth Factors

• Automobiles and Highways: The rise of automobile ownership and the construction of highways facilitated suburban expansion after World War II.

• GI Bill: Policies like the GI Bill made homeownership more accessible, contributing to suburban growth.

Urban Development and Infrastructure

• Urban Dwellers: Asia has the highest number of urban dwellers, with cities like Tokyo and Beijing being particularly significant.

• Water Access: Historically, major cities were located near waterways to facilitate trade, transport, and agriculture.

Development Levels and Job Types

• Developed Countries: Generally have a service-oriented labor force with various job opportunities spanning all sectors.

• Developing Countries: Primarily feature primary sector jobs (e.g., agriculture) but are gradually creating tertiary jobs as they develop.

Migrant Settlements

• Ethnic Enclaves: Migrants often settle in ethnic enclaves on the fringes of urban areas, experiencing cultural ties and community support.

New Urbanism

• Design Principles: Focuses on creating walkable neighborhoods and reducing urban sprawl through pedestrian-friendly designs.

Gentrification

• Revitalization vs. Displacement: Gentrification can improve urban areas but often leads to the displacement of long-time residents due to rising living costs.

• Economic Transformation: Increases property values and may change the social fabric of neighborhoods, impacting long-term residents who can't afford new prices.

Bid Rent Curve

• Economic Perspective: Describes how land prices change with distance from the city center, with CBDs having the highest land values.