Urban Geography Definition: The study of how people use space in cities

Urban GeographyUrban Geography

Definition:Definition:The study of how people use The study of how people use space in citiesspace in cities


CitiesCities Not just areas with large Not just areas with large

populationspopulations Centers of business and cultureCenters of business and culture


SuburbsSuburbs Political units that may touch the Political units that may touch the

central city or other suburbs of central city or other suburbs of that citythat city

ExurbsExurbs Small cities or towns with open Small cities or towns with open

land between themselves and the land between themselves and the central citycentral city


Metropolitan areaMetropolitan area The city, its suburbs and exurbs The city, its suburbs and exurbs

link together economicallylink together economically MegalopolisMegalopolis

Formed when several metropolitan Formed when several metropolitan areas grow togetherareas grow together

UrbanizationUrbanization Dramatic rise in the number of Dramatic rise in the number of

cities and the changes in lifestyle cities and the changes in lifestyle that resultthat result

PLACE Urban areas are clearly visible in this satellite view of earth at night. The light blue areas are “reflective” areas with either snow pack or sand.Which regions of the earth have few urban areas?


City formation factorsCity formation factors Allow good transportationAllow good transportation Access to natural resourcesAccess to natural resources

Because of their geographic Because of their geographic

advantages, cities serve as economic advantages, cities serve as economic

bases, attracting businesses and bases, attracting businesses and

people to work in those people to work in those businessesbusinesses


Land Use PatternsLand Use Patterns Residential - homesResidential - homes Industrial - manufacturingIndustrial - manufacturing Commercial – retail (buying and Commercial – retail (buying and

selling), private businessesselling), private businesses

Central Business District (CBD)Central Business District (CBD) The core of a city is almost always The core of a city is almost always

based on commercial activitybased on commercial activity

MAKING GENERALIZATIONS Where is low-income housing

found in each of the models?

MAKING COMPARISONS What has happened to business

and industry activities in the multiple nuclei model as compared to the other two models?

Concentric Zone ModelConcentric Zone Model

An early model showed the CBD as the “bull’s-eye” of the urban area. It is surrounded by other activities.


Concentric Zone Model

http://www.hawaii.edu/hga/urban00/ModelsCities.html

Sector ModelSector Model

Activities are concentrated in wedges or sectors, which may follow transportation lines or natural features such as a river.


Sector Model


Multiple Nuclei modelMultiple Nuclei model

Districts, called nuclei, specialize in one urban activity, and are found throughout the urban area.


Multiple Nuclei Model


The Function of CitiesThe Function of Cities

ShoppingShopping EntertainmentEntertainment GovernmentGovernment Educational activitiesEducational activities Cultural activitiesCultural activities

LibrariesLibraries MuseumsMuseums

Mass transit to ensure all Mass transit to ensure all functions operate smoothlyfunctions operate smoothly

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Urban Geography Definition: The study of how people use space in cities