Chapter 13: Urbanization
Creating Livable Cities
www.aw-bc.com/Withgott
Urbanization
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it is the shift from rural living forming cities
and towns.
arguably the single greatest change since
transitioning from a nomadic hunter-gatherer
becoming sedentary people introducing
agriculture to our way of life.
Industrialization
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overproduction of agricultural goods lead to the
specialization of professions
leading to:
class structure
political hierarchies
urban centers
positive feedback: better technology= more and
better paid jobs= more migration to the cities
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Population in Developing Countries (2005-2007)
www.aw-bc.com/Withgott
Geography of Urban Areas
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Factors:
climate
topography
waterways
location, location, location
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major river (Mississippi, Hudson, Ohio, Colorado)
sea coast (Gulf Coast)
railroad or highway
trading corridor (I-35)
To the Suburbs
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1950's
Pros
more space
economic opportunities
cheaper real estate
less crime
better schools
Cons
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human impact on the environment
longer commute
need of car
congested traffic
pollution
lack of green space
health
land use
costs of infrastructure
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DFW 1990
www.earthvisionllc.net
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DFW 2000
www.earthvisionllc.net
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DFW 2009
www.earthvisionllc.net
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DFW 2014
www.earthvisionllc.net
Sprawl
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"spread of low-density urban or suburban development outward
from an urban center."
causes for sprawl
number of people
highways- more people migrate
technology (internet)- can work from home
preference to space and privacy vs crowdedness
per capital land consumption
larger homes
larger cars
larger "stuff" like electric and electronic gadgets
Creating Livable Cities
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city planning
parks and playgrounds
neighborhood conditions
traffic
mapping of railroads, bus lines and such
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regional planning
–
same principles but in a much larger scale
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metroplex
zoning
Urban Growth Boundaries (UGB)
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intended to limit sprawl
contains future growth within already existing
urbanized areas limiting costs of
infrastructure
it can be adjusted according to needs
Pros
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revitalizes downtown
preserves ecosystem: restoration via parks
and reserves
protects farms and industry already there
ensures access to open spaces near city
"building up"
employment increased
Cons
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costs of housing are increasing
density increases
size of lots/houses decrease
New Urbanism
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designs neighborhoods with house, school,
buisnesses and amenities close together
mimic the traditional urban layout that existed
before the creation of suburbs
very dependant on public transportation
www.nctcog.org/TRANS
Smart Growth
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consists of building up, not out
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multistory shopping center and housing buildings
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Addison Circle
mass transit is vital
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develops existing communities
cheaper, cleaner, efficient
predictable, fair and cost-effective spending
parks and open spaces
community collaboration in city development
Urban Sustainability
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urbanization has positive and negative
impacts
depends on
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use of resources: cities are "resource sinks"
production of goods: inefficient
material transportation: inefficient
waste: more consumption= more waste
Pollution
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some are exported
– waste
– air pollutants
– some water & soil pollutants
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noise pollution
– highways
light pollution
San Diego
L.A.
Night view panorama from Palomar observatory
www.astro.caltech.edu/palomar
Innovation
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promoting education, technology and scientific
research
renewable energy
pollution reduction
local and organic produce
recycling programs
environmentally friendly technologies
tax incentives (cash for clunkers)
waste recycling
THE END