AP Human Geography Lecture Review

World Systems Theory

• Developed by Emmanuel Wallerstein in the 1980s

• Divides countries into three categories:

  • Core: Economically dominant countries (e.g., US, Western Europe, Japan)

    • High literacy rates, low birth/death rates, good healthcare

  • Semi-periphery: Countries experiencing growth, but with significant inequalities

    • Often display characteristics of both core and peripheral nations

  • Periphery: Low-income countries (LDCs), high birth rates, low life expectancy

    • Resource-rich but economically exploited by core countries

Core-Periphery Model

• Core countries serve as major economic centers with urbanized areas

• Semi-periphery countries act as intermediates, showing some growth

• Peripheral countries often have limited participation in global economics

Urban and Qualitative Analysis

• Distinction between quantitative (countable data) and qualitative (descriptive data) analysis

• Examples of quantitative data:

  • Number of buildings, population density, stop signs

• Examples of qualitative data:

  • Cleanliness, size of homes, quality of urban infrastructure

Squatter Settlements

• Areas where individuals reside without legal occupancy rights

• Often form due to urban migration and a lack of affordable housing options

• Example: Favelas in Brazil, characterized by dense populations and poor living conditions

• Contrast with legally owned housing through ownership or rental agreements

Griffin-Ford Model of Latin American Urban Structure

• Explains structuring of urban areas in Latin America, accounting for unique historical factors

• Core features of the model:

  • Central Business District (CBD) close to historical trading centers

  • Spine of high-income housing extends from the CBD

  • Areas of scattered poverty reflected by informal settlements on city peripheries

• Consideration of socio-economic divides shaped by colonial history

Comparison with Developed Countries

• Developed countries often have a more substantial middle class, leading to urban environments that reflect diverse socio-economic statuses

• Latin American cities showcase stark wealth divides, with limited access to resources for lower-income populations

• Discussion of infrastructure accessibility and quality as an indicator of development

Urban Analysis through Quality Indicators

• The assessment of a community's quality of life through multiple indicators like safety, sanitation, and access to services

• Qualitative observations provide deeper insights into the living conditions, safety and overall quality of urban life beyond mere statistics.