Urban Geography
World Geography and Cultures
Chapter 4
Why understand urban geo?
Nearly ½ the world’s population lives in urban areas
Cities fulfill economic, residential, and cultural functions in
different ways
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Growth of urban areas
Urban areas develop and
grow much like a plant
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Village, hamlet
Town
City
Metropolitan area
Š Functional area
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Metropolis
Š City with at least 1 million
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Megalopolis
Š City with at least 10 million
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Where are cities found?
All over the world – but
there are some
common patterns
Most are found in
places with
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Chicago, IL
Good transportation
Easy access to natural
resources
Natural trade hubs
Specialization
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Economic activities
Trade
Land Use in a City
Three basic types of land use
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Residential
Industrial
Commercial
CBD
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Central Business District
Š Where business offices and
stores are found
Š Little residential – expensive if
present
Š High cost of land
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Skyscrapers and tall buildings
common
Helps to regulate type of
activity in central areas
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Urban Area Models
Concentric Zone Model
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Traditional
Like a bull’s eye
Sector Model
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Still radiating but with wedges
Found more often after the highway systems were
developed
Multiple Nuclei Model
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Newest urban layouts
Several areas with CBD characteristics
Many suburban cities
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