Chapter 10
The Urban World
Overview of Chapter 10
o
Population and Urbanization
•
•
o
City as an Ecosystem
•
•
o
Environmental Problems in Urban Areas
Environmental Benefits of Urbanization
Urban Land Use Planning
•
•
o
Characteristics of Urban Population
Urbanization Trends
Transportation and Urban Development
Suburban Sprawl
Making Cities More Sustainable
Population and Urbanization
o
By 2007 or 2008, half of the world’s population will
live in urban areas
Population and Urbanization
o
Urbanization
•
o
Jobs define urban vs. rural, not populations
•
•
o
Process in which people increasingly move from rural
areas to densely population cities
Rural area occupations involve harvesting natural
resources
Urban area occupations involve jobs not connected with
natural resources
People are moving to cities due to decrease in
employment opportunities in rural areas
Characteristics of Urban Population
o
Basic characteristics of city populations:
•
•
•
•
Diverse population in terms of race, ethnicity, religion
and socioeconomic status
Younger population than local rural area
More males in
developing nation cities
More females in
developed nation cities
Urbanization Trends
o
Urbanization is increasing rapidly
•
o
Especially in developing countries
World’s 10 largest cities are in developing countries
The Top Skylines in the World
Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong has a whopping 43 buildings over 200 metres tall, 30 of which
were built in the year 2000 or later. It also boasts four of the 15 tallest buildings in
the world. Hong Kong’s skyline shows a large selection of distinct sky-reaching
towers.
Metro/Urban Population: 6.9 million
http://citynoise.org/article/3432
The Top Skylines in the World
Chicago, Illinois
When Chicago built its first steel high-rise in 1885, it was not the tallest
structure in the world but the first example of a new form of engineering that would
change nearly every city on earth. Chicago has 19 buildings over 200 metres tall
(three of which are among the top 20 tallest buildings in the world, including the
tallest in North America).
Metro/Urban Population: 9.5 million
The Top Skylines in the World
Shanghai, China
China's biggest and most advanced city, Shanghai was said to be the most
cosmopolitan city in the beginning of the 20th century, but lost its glory during
the “Mao era”. It is now quickly regaining its position as one of the biggest
economic powerhouses in the world as well as a showcase of modern
architecture. In Shanghai you’ll find 25 structures that are over 200 metres tall,
one of which is the insanely tall, the 468m downtown Oriental Pearl TV Tower.
Metro/Urban Population: 13.1 million
The Top Skylines in the World
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Already home of the world's tallest all-hotel building and the tallest allresidential building in the world, AND currently proposed to build the world's
tallest building. All seven structures in this city at over 200 metres tall were built
in 1999 or later - that's how new this city is.
Metro/Urban Population: 1.6 million
Palm Islands,
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Burj, Dubai
World’s Tallest Human Structure
Urbanization Trends
o
Urban Agglomeration
•
Urbanized core region that consists of several adjunct
cities or megacities and their surrounding developed
suburbs
United States Urban
Agglomerations
(Population of 50,000 or
above)
Substandard Housing
o
Typically occupied by
squatters
•
o
No city services
•
o
o
Illegally occupy unsafe
housing
Water, sewage, garbage
collection, police and fire
protection
1/3 of urban population in developing countries are squatters
Homelessness is present in lower numbers in developed
countries
Land Use- Park
City, Utah
Undeveloped Open Space
Full Satellite View of City
Environmental Problems in Urban Areas
o
Growing urban areas affect land use patterns
•
•
o
Brownfields
•
o
Fragment wildlife
Encroach wetlands, forests, desert, etc.
Urban areas of abandoned industrial or residential sites
that may be contaminated from past use
Impermeable surfaces and urban runoff discharged
into waterways
•
Motor oil, lawn fertilizers, heavy metals
Environmental Problems in Urban Areas
o
Long commutes
•
•
o
o
Traffic congested streets
Buildup of airborne emissions due to cars and industry
Noise pollution
Urban heat island
•
•
•
Local heat buildup in an area of high population density
Affect local air currents and weather conditions
Contribute to buildup of pollutants- dust domes
Urban Heat Island
Temperature variations on a summer afternoon
Environmental Benefits of Urbanization
o
Well-planned city can benefit the environment
•
•
o
Reduces pollution
Preserves rural areas
Compact Development
•
•
Design of cities where residential buildings are close to
shopping, jobs and public transportation
Ex: Portland, Oregon
Urban Land Use Planning
o
o
Land use based on economic concerns
From center of city outwards:
•
•
•
•
o
City center- Central Business District (highest taxes)
Residential properties (lower taxes than city center)
Land intensive businesses (even lower taxes)
Suburbs (lowest taxes)
Parks and green space are interspersed
Urban Land Use Planning
o
Land Use Planning
•
o
o
Process of deciding the best use for undeveloped land in
a given area
Influenced by political and economic factors
Regulated through zoning
•
Cities divided into use zones
•
•
•
•
Commercial
Residential
Industrial
Property owners must meet zoning ordinances
Transportation and Urban Development
o
o
Transportation
availability affects
city’s spatial
structure
Ex: An east coast
US city
•
•
•
(a) 1700-1850
(b) 1850-1910
(c) 20th century
Suburban Sprawl
o
Suburban Sprawl
•
o
Problems
•
•
•
•
o
Patchwork of vacant and developed tracts around the
edges of cities
Loss of wetlands
Air pollution
Water pollution
Loss of biological
habitat
11 states now have
new growth management laws (Smart Growth)
Making Cities More Sustainable
o
Characteristics of a sustainable city
•
•
•
Clear, cohesive urban growth policies
Efficient use of energy and other resources
Reduction of pollution and waste
•
•
•
•
•
Reuse and recycle materials in waste stream
Large areas of green space
Designed to be people-centers, not car-centered
Food grown IN the city (rooftop gardens)
Compact development
Copenhagen, Denmark
A People-centered City
Sustainable Cities
Case in Point- Curitiba, Brazil