Unit 7 ap human

1. Urban Geography Overview

• Urban geography studies how cities function, their internal structures, and external influences.

• Two main subfields:

  • Systems of cities: Focuses on where cities are located, their functions, and how they connect regionally and globally.

  • Internal cities: Examines land use, transportation, segregation, architecture, and development within cities.

2. Defining Urbanism

• Urban areas are nucleated (having a core) and depend on nonagricultural jobs.

• City vs. Town:

  • Towns are smaller and less complex than cities but still have business centers.

  • Cities include Central Business Districts (CBDs) and are usually surrounded by suburbs.

• Suburbs: Residential areas near cities that rely on them economically but have their own governments.

• Urbanized areas: Continuous city development where political boundaries are mostly imaginary.

• Metropolitan Areas: A large functional unit, often including multiple urban areas.

  • Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): A city of at least 50,000 people plus surrounding counties.

  • Micropolitan Statistical Area: Smaller version with 10,000–50,000 people and surrounding dependent counties.

3. Urban Hierarchy (Smallest to Largest)

• Hamlet: Smallest cluster of homes with basic services (e.g., a gas station).

• Village: Larger, with more specialized businesses.

• Town: More functional specialization (e.g., banks, schools, libraries) and an economic hinterland (dependent rural areas).

• City: Larger population, clear CBD, and surrounding suburbs.

• Megalopolis: Multiple cities merged together, e.g., Bosnywash (Boston to Washington, D.C.).

4. Social Characteristics of Urban Areas (Wirth’s Theory, 1930s)

• Large size: Urban residents know fewer people personally compared to rural areas.

• High density:

  • Leads to job specialization, competition for space, and higher property values.

  • Can cause social inequality as wealthier groups dominate certain areas.

• Social heterogeneity:

  • Cities attract diverse populations with unique cultures, lifestyles, and professions.

  • Urban areas offer anonymity but may also lead to isolation and loneliness.

5. How Cities Emerge & Grow

• Cities develop in response to human needs and activities, influenced by political, economic, and cultural factors.

• Geography plays a key role:

  • Political: A settlement chosen as a capital can grow into a major city.

  • Economic: Cities near harbors or trade routes expand through commerce.

  • Cultural: Some cities grow due to their artistic, educational, or religious importance.

6. Origin & Evolution of Cities

• Prehistoric Era (before 10,000 years ago): No permanent settlements.

• Neolithic Revolution (~10,000 years ago): Agriculture led to permanent villages.

• Early Cities (~3000 B.C.E.):

  • Irrigation & surplus farming → Job specialization.

  • Emergence of social inequality → Larger houses and landholdings.

  • Governments formed to organize resources and build infrastructure.

7. Role of Government in Early Cities

• Formative Era (4000–2000 B.C.E.): States and urban centers emerged in major river valleys:

  • Egypt (Nile River)

  • Mesopotamia (Tigris & Euphrates Rivers)

  • Indus Valley Civilization (Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro)

  • China (Huang He River)

  • Aegean Civilization (Greek forerunners)

8. Functions & Locations of Ancient Cities

• Ancient cities were strategically located near rivers, fertile land, and trade routes.

• Governments controlled food supply, taxes, and security (walls for defense).

• Key urban functions:

  • Political Centers – Capitals of early states.

  • Religious Centers – Temples, shrines, priests.

  • Economic Hubs – Markets, trade networks.

  • Educational Centers – Teachers, philosophers.

• Population Limits: Ancient cities typically housed 10,000–15,000 people due to limits in food storage and distribution.

9. Urbanization in the Mediterranean

• Greek City-States (~2500 years ago): Self-governing communities (e.g., Athens, first city to reach 100,000 people).

• Roman Empire (~2nd century C.E.):

  • Rome grew to 250,000+ people.

  • Extensive road and sea networks connected cities across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.