Urban Geography

What is urban sprawl?

• Cities spreading onto undeveloped land

• Cities growing in population

• Cities becoming more connected

• Cities changing over time

What contributes to urban growth?

• Connectivity and directness of routes

• Industrial Revolution

• Rural population growth

• Undeveloped land

What are some functions of cities?

• Manufacturing, retail, and service centers

• Agricultural production

• Natural resource extraction

• Rural development

What are some advantages of cities?

• New ideas and creativity

• Less crime and poverty

• More open space and resources

• Better social services

What is the concentric zone model?

• City grows outward in rings

• City develops in sectors or areas

• City has more than one center

• City changes over time

What factors influence city location and growth?

• Water sources, fertile soil, and protection

• Railroads and transportation

• Central place theory

• International influence and diverse cultures

What are some new trends in cities?

• Suburban business districts and major diversified centers

• Historic activity centers over older cities

• Scattered development and increased traffic

• Master-planned cities on undeveloped land

What are some challenges of urban growth?

• Strains on services like energy, education, healthcare

• Decreased pollution and economic issues

• Improved housing and security

• Less traffic and loss of resources

What are some social problems associated with urbanization?

• Poor housing, homelessness, addiction, crime

• High-quality housing, employment, safety

• Access to education, healthcare, transportation

• Preservation of open space and resources

What is the impact of urban sprawl?

• Scattered development, increased traffic, loss of resources and open space

• Concentrated development, decreased traffic, preservation of resources and open space

• Centralized development, improved traffic, utilization of resources and open space

• Diversified development, balanced traffic, conservation of resources and open space