The Internal Structure of Cities - AP Human Geography
- What does 'megacity' refer to?
- A city with over 10 million inhabitants. Found primarily in developing countries experiencing rapid growth.
- What is the primary focus of 'urban sociology'?
- Study of life and human interaction in urban areas. Examines social patterns, behavior, and community formation.
- What is the urban hierarchy?
- A ranking of cities based on size and economic function. Orders cities from largest to smallest by population and influence.
- Define 'urban ecosystem'.
- The ecological relationships within urban areas. Includes plants, animals, and environmental interactions in cities.
- What is the concentric zone model?
- A city model with rings around a central business district. Developed by Burgess, based on Chicago's growth pattern.
- What is a 'greenbelt'?
- An area of open land around a city, where building is restricted. Prevents urban sprawl and preserves agricultural land.
- What is the 'urban-rural fringe'?
- Transition zone where urban and rural uses mix. Where suburban and agricultural land uses meet.
- What is the 'bid-rent theory'?
- Explains how the price and demand for real estate change with distance from the CBD. Land value decreases with distance from city center.
- Define 'central business district (CBD)'.
- The commercial and business center of a city. Typically has highest land values and tallest buildings.
- What is 'counterurbanization'?
- Net migration from urban to rural areas. Reverse of traditional rural-to-urban migration patterns.
- What is 'decentralization' in urban contexts?
- Movement of people and businesses from the city center. Creates suburban sprawl and reduces urban density.
- What does 'urban resilience' refer to?
- Ability of a city to absorb and recover from shocks. Adapts to economic, social, and environmental challenges.
- What is a 'megalopolis'?
- Large, coalescing supercities forming in diverse parts of the world. Continuous urban corridor connecting multiple cities.
- What is the 'rank-size rule'?
- A pattern where the nth largest city is 1/n the size of the largest city. Mathematical relationship describing urban size distribution.
- What is the 'gravity model' in urban geography?
- Predicts interaction based on size and distance of places. Larger, closer places have stronger interaction potential.
- Identify a characteristic of a world city.
- A city with global economic influence. Major centers for finance, trade, and international business.
- What is a 'primate city'?
- A city that is disproportionately larger than others in a country. At least twice the size of the second-largest city.
- Identify a key feature of new urbanism.
- Walkable neighborhoods with diverse housing. Promotes mixed-use development and reduced car dependency.
- Define 'edge city'.
- A concentration of business outside a traditional downtown. Suburban commercial centers with office, retail, and entertainment.
- Define 'urban decay'.
- Deterioration of urban areas due to neglect or age. Results from disinvestment, poverty, and population loss.
- What is the main critique of the concentric zone model?
- Oversimplifies city development patterns. Ignores transportation, topography, and cultural factors.
- Define 'urban morphology'.
- Study of the physical form of cities. Examines building patterns, street layouts, and spatial organization.
- Define 'urban heat island'.
- Urban areas warmer than their rural surroundings. Caused by concrete, asphalt, and reduced vegetation.
- What is 'exurbanization'?
- Movement of people to rural areas beyond suburbs. Low-density settlement beyond traditional suburban areas.
- What is the multiple nuclei model?
- A city model with multiple centers or nodes. Created by Harris and Ullman, reflects modern city complexity.
- What is the purpose of a 'census metropolitan area'?
- To measure population and economic activity in a city. Statistical area used for urban planning and analysis.
- Identify the urban model by Hoyt.
- Sector model. Emphasizes transportation corridors shaping urban development.
- Identify the core concept of the sector model.
- City develops in sectors or wedges from the center. Transportation routes influence urban growth patterns outward.
- Define 'urban renewal'.
- Revitalization of urban areas through redevelopment. Government-led programs to improve deteriorating neighborhoods.
- Identify the characteristic of 'downtown revitalization'.
- Efforts to renew and restore city centers. Attracts businesses, residents, and tourists back downtown.
- What is the purpose of urban planning?
- To design and regulate land use in urban areas. Manages growth, zoning, and infrastructure development.
- Define 'urbanization'.
- Increase in the proportion of people living in urban areas. Global trend as people move from rural to urban areas.
- Which model includes a 'zone of transition'?
- Concentric zone model. The deteriorating area surrounding the CBD in Burgess's model.
- Identify a feature of 'sustainable urban development'.
- Balancing social, economic, and environmental needs. Meets present needs without compromising future generations.
- What is a 'gateway city'?
- A city that serves as an entry point for immigrants. First destination for many international migrants.
- Define 'urban sprawl'.
- Uncontrolled expansion of urban areas. Low-density development consuming agricultural and natural land.
- Identify the impact of zoning laws.
- Regulate land use and shape urban development. Separate residential, commercial, and industrial areas.
- What is the primary goal of smart growth?
- To limit urban sprawl and promote sustainable cities. Encourages compact, transit-oriented development patterns.