AP HUG

Chapter 13 - Urban Areas

Key Issues

  • Key Issue 1: Why do services cluster downtown?

  • Key Issue 2: Where are people distributed within urban areas?

  • Key Issue 3: Why do inner cities face distinctive challenges?

  • Key Issue 4: Why do suburbs face distinctive challenges?

History of Cities

  • Urban Population:
      - Currently, half of the world’s population is classified as urban.
      - The U.S. became urban-dominated in 1920.
      - The fastest-growing urban areas are located in less developed countries (LDCs).
      - Urban classification varies by country; in the U.S, it’s any place with 2,500 people or more.
      - A metropolitan urban area has a population of at least 50,000, affecting federal support.

Origins of Cities

  • Historical Context:
      - The first cities appeared at least 5,000 years ago., predominantly in the Fertile Crescent.
      - Initial cities were largely religious but also served other economic purposes, such as tool-making and handicrafts.
      - Surplus food production was essential for the development of cities.

Urban Organization

  • Social Organization Development:
      - Priestly or military groups usually governed the management of food resources.
      - Merchants emerged as another social class, facilitating trade among merchants, artisans, and elites.

Functions of Historic Cities

  • City Roles Examples:
      - Commercial Centers: Fresno, Venice, New York.
      - Industrial Cities: Manchester, Detroit, Los Angeles.
      - Primary Resource Cities: Scotia, Minas Gerais, Nevada City.
      - Resort Cities: Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, Marseille.
      - Government Centers: Washington D.C., Brasilia.
      - Education Centers: Palo Alto, Berkeley.

Percent of Population Living in Urban Areas

  • Visualization of urban populations across geographical regions reflecting differences from above 20% to above 75%.

Urban Geography

  • Definition:
      - Urban geography historically examines spatial relationships between urban areas and identifies patterns in housing, employment, and diversity.
      - Analysts aim to understand socio-economic and political trends distinguishing urban from non-urban spaces.

Functions of Urban Areas

  • Major functions include:
      - Retailing
      - Wholesaling
      - Manufacturing
      - Business Services
      - Entertainment
      - Political Administration
      - Military Defense
      - Social and Religious Services
      - Public Services
      - Education
      - Transportation & Communications
      - Meeting Places
      - Recreation
      - Visitor Services
      - Residential Areas

Traditional Patterns of Urban Structure

  • Characteristics of Historic Cores:
      - Narrow, complex streets built before the automobile era.
      - Plazas and squares reflecting historical symbolism.
      - Compact urban forms with low skylines and lively downtowns.
      - Neighborhoods typically stable with municipal socialism.

Early Cities

  • Population Characteristics:
      - Many ancient cities were small; only a few had populations exceeding 50,000, like Babylon.
      - Cities developed long before elevators, having basic but formal urban planning.

Ancient World Cities

  • First Civilizations:
      - Oldest cities found in Mesopotamia, with examples like Jericho (10,000 B.C.) and Ur (3000 B.C.).
      - Cultural and architectural developments reflected urban growth.

Evolution of European Urban Expansion

  • Transition from urban systems dominated by Greeks and Romans during the Dark Ages.

  • Renaissance marked changes brought merchant capitalism and gateway cities’ development.

Medieval World Cities

  • Post-Roman Empire collapse, cities were diminished or abandoned. Features included independent urban centers formed through military service.

  • Enhanced trade due to improved road systems and compact designs within defensive walls.

Expansion of U.S. Urban Pattern

  • Urban evolution characterized by pedestrian cities transitioning into industrial cities post-Civil War.

  • Development of suburbs with the GI Bill post-WWII catalyzing growth and shaping the American Dream concept.

Back to City Movement

  • Urban renewal efforts aimed to reclaim and renovate blighted neighborhoods saw an influx of artists and gentrifiers.

  • Gentrification triggers displacement and revitalization within urban settings.

Major Global Cities and Their Populations

  • Overview of the largest metropolitan areas:
      1. Tokyo, Japan - 28 million
      2. New York City, USA - 20.1 million
      3. Mexico City, Mexico - 18.1 million
      …
      10. Buenos Aires, Argentina - 12.5 million

Urban Definitions and Structures

  • City Definitions:
      - Legally defined units of urban settlement.
      - Urbanized areas consist of central cities plus surrounding suburbs.
      - Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA): Population centers defined based on specific geographical criteria.

Megalopolis Example

  • Illustration of densely populated urban corridors, using the Boston-Washington corridor as a megalopolis example connecting multiple urban areas.

Urban Issues in Inner Cities

  • Challenges Faced:
      - Housing deterioration and socio-economic issues contribute to urban decline.
      - Gentrification leads to displacement of lower-income residents due to rising property values.

Suburban Challenges

  • Suburbs face distinct issues such as urban sprawl, transportation inefficiencies, and fragmentation of local government.

  • Greenbelts and zoning ordinances shape suburban landscapes to mitigate these issues.