Urban environments IB Geo
1. Characteristics of urban places
Q: What is the site of an urban place?
A: The physical ground where the settlement is located.
Q: What is the function of an urban place?
A: Main activities like residential, commercial, or industrial.
Q: What is land use in an urban place?
A: How land is utilized (e.g., housing, shops, or factories).
Q: What is the hierarchy of settlements?
A: From small towns to megacities, based on importance and population.
Q: What is the growth process in urban places?
A: Growth can be planned (organized expansion) or spontaneous (unplanned growth).
2. Factors affecting urban economic activity patterns
Q: How do physical factors affect urban economic activity?
A: Accessibility and terrain can influence economic activities.
Q: How do land values influence urban economic activity?
A: Higher land values are found closer to the CBD.
Q: How does proximity to the CBD affect economic activity?
A: Central locations attract commerce and business.
Q: How does planning influence urban economic activity?
A: Zoning laws and city design impact the distribution of activities.
3. Factors affecting residential patterns
Q: How do physical factors shape residential patterns?
A: Water bodies and terrain often determine where people live.
Q: How do land values influence residential patterns?
A: Wealthier people often live further from the CBD in MEDCs.
Q: How does ethnicity affect residential patterns?
A: Cultural clusters (e.g., Chinatown) form based on shared identity.
Q: How does planning shape residential patterns?
A: Housing policies and urban planning create specific residential zones.
4. Poverty and deprivation in urban areas
Q: What are economic indicators of urban poverty?
A: Unemployment and low income.
Q: What are social indicators of urban poverty?
A: Poor health and high crime rates.
Q: What are physical indicators of urban poverty?
A: Overcrowding and poor housing conditions.
Q: What are environmental indicators of urban poverty?
A: Noise and air pollution levels.
5. Urbanization and natural increase
Q: What causes urbanization?
A: Rural-urban migration and better job opportunities in cities.
Q: What causes natural increase in cities?
A: Youthful populations and higher birth rates.
6. Centripetal population movements
Q: What is rural-urban migration?
A: Movement of people seeking jobs and services in cities.
Q: What is gentrification?
A: Wealthy residents redeveloping inner-city areas.
Q: What is reurbanization?
A: Revitalization of decayed urban areas.
7. Centrifugal population movements
Q: What is suburbanization?
A: The shift of people to suburban areas.
Q: What is counter-urbanization?
A: Movement of people to rural areas.
Q: What is urban sprawl?
A: Uncontrolled city expansion into rural areas.
8. Urban infrastructure improvements
Q: What are examples of transport network improvements?
A: Expanding public transport and road systems.
Q: Why is sanitation and waste management important?
A: To prevent pollution and improve public health.
Q: How can access to water and electricity be improved?
A: Investing in infrastructure to meet urban demands.
Q: How can telecommunications infrastructure be enhanced?
A: Expanding internet and mobile network coverage.
Case Study: Shanghai’s improved public transport and water supply.
9. Urban deindustrialization
Q: How does globalization cause deindustrialization?
A: Cheaper labor overseas attracts manufacturing.
Q: How does automation contribute to deindustrialization?
A: Machines replace human workers, reducing jobs.
Q: How does a decline in manufacturing demand cause deindustrialization?
A: Changes in technology reduce the need for certain goods.
Q: How do political changes lead to deindustrialization?
A: Policies like free trade expose industries to competition.
Consequences: Unemployment, urban decay, and outmigration.
10. Urban microclimate modification
Q: What is an urban heat island?
A: Cities are warmer than rural areas due to heat retention by buildings.
Q: How does lack of vegetation affect urban microclimates?
A: Less evapotranspiration leads to higher temperatures.
Q: How does air pollution modify urban climates?
A: Pollution traps heat, exacerbating warming.
11. Air pollution management
Q: How are emissions standards used to manage air pollution?
A: By limiting pollutants released by vehicles and factories.
Q: How does public transport reduce air pollution?
A: It decreases the number of private cars on roads.
Q: How does renewable energy help manage air pollution?
A: It reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
Case Study: Mexico City’s car-free days.
12. Traffic congestion
Q: What are the impacts of traffic congestion on health?
A: Increased stress and higher risk of respiratory diseases.
Q: How does traffic congestion affect travel costs?
A: Fuel wastage and longer commutes increase expenses.
Q: What are strategies to manage traffic congestion?
A: Congestion charges (e.g., London) and improved public transport.
13. Contested land use changes
Q: What is slum clearance?
A: Redevelopment projects that remove informal settlements.
Q: How does urban development deplete green spaces?
A: Construction projects replace parks and open areas.
Case Studies: Mediaspree, Berlin; slum clearance in Rio de Janeiro.
14. Urban social deprivation
Q: What is the cycle of deprivation?
A: Poverty perpetuated by low income, poor education, and inadequate housing.
Q: What are common indicators of deprivation?
A: High crime rates, poor health, and overcrowded housing.
15. Sustainable urban growth
Q: What is resilient city design?
A: Strategies to adapt to climate risks, such as better infrastructure.
Q: What is eco-city design?
A: Minimizing ecological footprints with sustainable practices.
Q: What is a smart city?
A: Using technology to improve city services and efficiency.
Examples: Curitiba’s sustainable transport system, Tokyo’s compact urban design.
16. Urban population projections for 2050
Q: What are expected urban trends by 2050?
A:
Increase in global urban population to 66%.
Growth of megacities in developing regions.
Challenges: Housing, infrastructure, and resource management.