Unit 6

Unit 6 - Cities and Urban Land-Use

6.1 - The Origin and Influences of Urbanization

  • Urbanization
      - Definition: The increase in the percentage of people living in cities, surpassing the number of people in rural areas and encompassing the formation and expansion of cities.
      - City: A nucleated settlement of people and buildings clustered together serving as a center of politics, culture, and economics.

  • 1st Urban Revolution
      - Occurred as people settled along fertile river valleys.
      - Created surplus resources, enabling others to specialize in various occupations.
      - Resulted in the formation of social hierarchies.

  • 2nd Urban Revolution
      - Occurred during the 1800s when cities expanded significantly.
      - People migrated to cities attracted by manufacturing jobs, a transformation propelled by the agricultural revolution.

Population Data

  • Towns population data from 1680 to 1830 illustrated significant urban growth in various locations like Newcastle upon Tyne, Leeds, Manchester, and London.
      - Population thresholds categorized by numerical range in the year 1680:

        - <2500     - 2501 - 5000     - 5001 - 10000     - 10001 - 25000     - 25001 - 100000     - >350001
      - By 1830, populations in cities like London and Birmingham rose significantly, illustrating urban migration.

6.2 - The Concept of Site vs. Situation

  • Site
      - Definition: The unique, physical character of a location, including its absolute location and spatial characteristics such as:
        - Climate
        - Access to water
        - Defensible location
        - Access to resources

  • Situation
      - Definition: The external attributes of a place in relation to other areas. This encompasses:
        - Connections to other sites
        - Importance to surrounding areas

6.3 - Influences on Urbanization

  • Transportation
      - Modes such as railroads, streetcars, buses, airplanes, subways, and the U.S. interstate highway system have facilitated urban growth.

  • Communication
      - Evolution from mail, telegraph, and telephone to modern smartphones, impacting migration patterns and information exchange.

  • Population Growth and Migration
      - Illustrated through numerical data showing rural-to-urban migration.
      - Urban growth rates, particularly in African cities from 1995 to 2025, indicating accelerating urbanization.

6.4 - Global Urbanization Trends

  • Megacities: Defined as cities with populations exceeding 10 million, with over 30 worldwide, mostly in developing countries.

  • Metacities: Cities with populations exceeding 20 million, with about 15 examples globally.

  • Urban Sprawl: Defined as unrestricted growth of low-density housing and commercial areas around urban centers.

  • Suburbanization: The trend of middle- and upper-class families moving from urban core areas to suburbs, spurred by factors post-WWII including automobile production and dual-income households.

6.5 - Models of Urban Structure

  • Bid-Rent Theory: Economic theory positing that land users will compete for the most accessible land, influencing urban land use patterns.

  • Concentric Zone Model: Model of urban structure that describes land use as a series of rings around a central business district (CBD).

  • Sector Model: Suggests social groups are arranged in wedges of land extending outward from the CBD along transportation routes.

  • Multiple Nuclei Model: City structure characterized by multiple nodes of growth, each specializing in different land uses.

  • Galactic City Model: Modern urban areas where internal cities are surrounded by suburban residential and business areas connected by transportation paths.

6.6 - Infrastructure and Sustainability in Urban Areas

  • Infrastructure: Critical physical and organizational structures necessary for societal operation. Importance: Affects economic and social conditions.

  • Urban Sustainability: Focus on integrating mixed-use developments, ensuring walkability, and implementing zoning laws for environmental preservation.

  • Smart Growth/New Urbanism: Urban planning movement emphasizing compact, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods characterized by variety in housing and land uses.

6.7 - Urban Challenges

  • Redlining: Denial of services to neighborhoods based on racial or ethnic demographics, leading to systemic inequality.

  • Urban Renewal and Gentrification: Large-scale redevelopment of urban areas often displacing low-income residents while attracting wealthier populations.
      - Positives: Infrastructure improvements, neighborhood revitalization.
      - Negatives: Increase in rent and property taxes, evictions of original residents, and loss of cultural significance.

6.8 - Environmental Issues

  • Climate Change: Urban areas often have larger ecological footprints, face challenges from rising sea levels, and require shifts to renewable energy sources.

  • Sanitation Issues: Significant portions of urban populations in developing nations lack adequate sanitation, contributing to public health crises.

  • Water Quality: Challenge for urban areas, especially those with significant industrial histories (e.g., brownfield sites).

6.9 - Future Perspectives

  • Urban planning initiatives focus on mixed-use areas, environmental considerations, and social equity to counteract sprawl and urban challenges while promoting sustainable practices.

6.10 - Urban Governance and Policy

  • Urban Governance

        - Refers to the processes and structures through which cities are managed and the decisions are made.

        - Involves multiple stakeholders including governmental agencies, private sector, and civil society.

        - Importance of inclusive policies for sustainable urban development and community participation.

  • Policies

        - Strategies aimed at addressing urban challenges such as housing, transport, and environmental sustainability.

        - Various policies include zoning laws, public transportation initiatives, and affordable housing programs.

6.11 - Technological Innovations in Urban Management

  • Smart Cities

        - Cities that leverage technology and data analytics to improve operational efficiency, enhance services, and stimulate economic growth.

        - Involves the use of IoT devices, big data, and cloud computing.

  • Sustainability Technologies

        - Innovations like green building technologies, renewable energy sources, and waste management systems aimed at reducing urban ecological footprints.

        - Role of technology in enhancing urban resilience to climate change and reducing carbon emissions.