The Origin and Influences of Urbanization - AP Human Geography

A city with a population over 10 million. These massive urban areas face significant infrastructure and governance challenges.

Theory describing the size and distribution of cities. Developed by Christaller to explain spatial distribution of urban settlements.

Zoning is the regulation of land use by local government. Separates residential, commercial, and industrial areas for planned development.

Urban sprawl is the uncontrolled expansion of urban areas. Often results from automobile dependence and low-density development.

Deindustrialization is the decline of manufacturing industries. Often leads to urban decay and job loss in former industrial cities.

The first region to urbanize was Mesopotamia. Known as the Fertile Crescent, it developed the earliest urban centers around 3500 BCE.

Industrialization and economic opportunities are main causes. These pull factors attract people to cities for jobs and better living standards.

A city's population is inversely proportional to its rank. The largest city is twice the size of the second largest, three times the third, etc.

The Burgess Concentric Zone Model. Features rings expanding outward from the central business district.

A metropolitan area includes a core city and its surrounding suburbs. It forms a continuous urban region for economic and social activities.

Increased pollution is a negative effect. Results from concentrated industrial activity and vehicle emissions in urban areas.

Colonialism often established port cities as trade hubs. Colonial powers created urban centers to facilitate resource extraction and trade.

Gentrification is the process of urban renewal and displacement. Often displaces lower-income residents as property values increase.

The Multiple Nuclei Model by Harris and Ullman. Recognizes that cities develop around multiple centers, not just one CBD.

High rates of rural-to-urban migration. Push factors like poverty drive people from rural areas to urban opportunities.

CBD stands for Central Business District. The commercial and financial heart of a city with the highest land values.

Smart growth is planned economic and community development. Sustainable development approach that manages urban growth efficiently.

Strain on infrastructure and resources. Urban growth often outpaces the ability to provide adequate services.

Mixed-use development combines residential, commercial, and cultural uses. Creates walkable communities that reduce car dependency and urban sprawl.

A regional boundary set to control urban sprawl. Legal tool used to manage urban expansion and protect surrounding areas.

Informal housing areas often lacking basic services. Common in developing countries where urban growth exceeds infrastructure development.

They have significant economic influence worldwide. They command and control global economic networks and cultural trends.

Decentralization is the distribution of population and industry. Moves economic activity away from central urban areas to suburban locations.

A greenbelt is an area of open land around a city. Designed to control urban sprawl and preserve natural areas.

A prominent commercial spine and peripheral squatter settlements. Shows economic inequality with wealthy commercial areas and poor informal settlements.

Urban agglomeration is the extended city area or urban cluster. Includes the main urban area plus connected smaller settlements.

An exurb is a prosperous area beyond the suburbs. Rural areas beyond suburbs where wealthy residents seek space and privacy.

It predicts interaction based on population and distance. Larger, closer cities have stronger interactions than smaller, distant ones.

Increased access to services and infrastructure. Urban areas concentrate services like healthcare, education, and utilities.