Unit 6: Cities and Urban Land Use Notes

Unit 6: Cities and Urban Land Use

6.1: The Origin and Influences of Urbanization
Key Concepts of Urbanization

  • Urbanization: refers to the increasing concentration of populations in urban areas and the diminishing of rural populations.

  • Suburbanization: the process of population movement from within cities to the suburbs.

Site and Situation

  • Site: The physical attributes of a place (e.g., landforms, climate).

  • Situation: The location of a city in relation to its surroundings, which can influence its growth and function.

  • Examples of site and situation factors that can influence urban development:

    • Proximity to water bodies: advantageous for trade and agriculture.

    • Natural resources availability: promotes industry and trade.

    • Climate: affects agricultural productivity and livability.

  • Class Question:

    • Describe the SITE of our school.

    • Describe the SITUATION of our school.

Early Urban Hearths

  • Definition: The first agricultural settlements that evolved into urban centers.

  • Examples of early urban hearths:

  • Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates Rivers)

  • Indus River Valley

  • North China Plain (Huang He and Yangtze Rivers)

  • Ancient Egyptian sites (Nile River)

  • Characteristics:

  • Seasonal rainfall that aided in agricultural production.

  • Physical geographic features that supported human settlement and development.

Ancient Civilizations and Cities (3500 B.C.E.- 1700 B.C.E.)

  • Civilization development around urban hearths (Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China).

  • Growth of cities led to the formation of early state-like entities.

Classical Civilizations

  • Major empires that included advanced urban centers:

  • Jin Empire, Classical Greece, Rome, Qin/Han Dynasty, Maurya/Gupta Empire.

  • Cities emerged as trade hubs across Europe and Asia.

Modern Urbanization (Post-1500 AD)

  • Cities expanded in size and complexity in Europe, Asia, and America.

  • Influence of historical events, technological advances, and economic changes on urban landscapes.

Factors Influencing Urban Growth

  1. Transportation

  • Development of transport systems (e.g., buses, trains) facilitating movement and connectivity to urban areas.

  • Planning to improve accessibility and reduce traffic.

  1. Population Growth & Migration

  • A significant proportion of global population now lives in urban areas.

  • People migrate to cities in search of opportunities.

  1. Economic Development

  • Urban centers usually become hubs of economic activity.

  • Infrastructure enhancements lead to job creation and migration towards these areas.

  1. Government Policies

  • Policies that influence urban planning and residency choices:

    • Zoning laws

    • Infrastructure investment

    • Housing regulations

    • Environmental regulations

    • Transportation improvements

    • Economic incentives for businesses

Check for Understanding Questions

  1. What factors influence the origin, location, function, and growth of cities?

  2. Identify site and situation factors that support urban growth.

  3. Discuss the impact of transportation development on urban growth.