Unit 6 - Cities and Urban Land-Use Quick Notes

Cities and Urban Land-Use Patterns and Processes

Origin and Influences of Urbanization

  • Definition of a City: A large, densely populated settlement serving as a commercial, governmental, and cultural hub.

  • Urbanization: The movement of people from rural areas to cities.

  • Early Settlements:

    • Agricultural villages formed near fertile river valleys.

    • Populations were small (rarely exceeding 200 people).

    • Focus on food procurement.

  • Necessary Elements for Urban Development:

    • Agricultural surplus: Enabled larger populations and specialization of labor.

    • Socioeconomic stratification: Led to the development of social classes and governance.

  • First Urban Revolution: The agricultural and socioeconomic innovations that led to the rise of the earliest cities.

  • Urban Hearth Areas:

    • Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates rivers).

    • Nile River Valley.

    • Indus River Valley.

    • Yellow River Valley (China).

    • Mesoamerica.

    • Andean Highlands.

    • West Africa.

  • Site and Situation:

    • Site: The absolute location of a place, including physical features.

    • Situation: The relative location of a place in reference to its surrounding features.

  • Diffusion of Urbanization:

    • Spontaneous development due to population growth and new technologies.

    • Diffusion through empires and societies via trade, voyages, or conquest.

  • Diffusion of Cities in Europe:

    • Greek Empire: Spread cities throughout the Mediterranean region.

    • Roman Empire: Expanded city life into France, Germany, England, and Spain.

  • Development in Other Regions:

    • Spain: Flourished under Moorish (Islamic) rule.

    • China: Cities developed around traditions and sacred sites (e.g., Forbidden City in Beijing).

    • Americas: Urban centers established by indigenous cultures.

  • Processes Influencing Urbanization:

    • Rural-to-urban migration.

    • Natural population increase.

  • Rural-to-Urban Migration:

    • Driven by industrialization and capitalism.

    • Examples: Chicago, Tokyo, Mumbai, and Chinese industrial cities.

    • Significant in Africa and Asia due to economic and social opportunities.

  • Transportation and Communication:

    • Innovations like railroads, streetcars, and automobiles shaped cities.

    • Streetcar suburbs developed.

    • Telegraph and telephone facilitated rapid communication.

  • Economic Development:

    • Second Urban Revolution: Industrial innovations in mining and manufacturing led to increased urban growth.

    • Urban land as a source of income.

    • Residential segregation by economic class.

    • Spatial separation of work from home.

  • Government Policies:

    • Early leaders managed agricultural surplus and infrastructure.

    • Colonial cities developed as administrative or commercial centers.

    • Redevelopment aims to revitalize declining areas.