3.2 Urban Forms Flashcards
Define urban form.
The size, shape, density and organisation of urban areas
On all scales from street to regional
What are the characteristics of a world city?
Headquarters of multinational corporations
Centre of media and communications for global networks
International financial services
Dominate trade and economy of a large surrounding area
Financial headquarters
Innovation
High proportion employed in the services information sectors
High quality education
How do physical factors impact urban form?
Physician factors give the initial reason for settlement location
In areas with good drainage
Near water for energy and transportation
On flat land for ease of building and transport development
How do human factors impact urban form?
Bid-rent theory
Location of urban land uses (retail, industry and residential) is determined by willingness to pay high prices for central location and reliance on accessibility (high to low)
What economic factors effect spatial patterns of land use?
Land value- which activities can afford to locate in which parts of a city
Employment- job opportunities lead to growth
Transport- ease of communication is a locational factor for business, retail and workers
What social factors effect spatial patterns of land use?
Filtering- as different social groups move between different areas of a city, social areas will change
Gentrification- inward movement of more wealthy residents
Ethnicity- ethnic groups may concentrate in certain parts of a city
Wealth- leads to spatial location of residents related to cost of housing
What political factor effects spatial patterns of land use?
Impact of urban managers- planners, developers and government officials are particularly active in areas of regeneration
What environmental factors effect spatial patterns of land use?
Relief- flat land is easier to build on
Drainage- poor drainage leads to flooding (building on flood plains is an issue in the UK)
River sites- attractive in the past as industrial locations
Coastal locations- cooler climate in hot countries; important for port activities and industrial growth
How has the growth of online shopping impacted many town centres?
They’ve had to diversify to a wider range of leisure services
Increase in communal, open spaces
Promotion of street entertainment
Flagship attractions
More apartments, conference centres and hotels to attract urban tourists
Define gentrification.
The buying and renovating of properties in more run down areas by wealthier individuals
What is an edge city?
Self contained settlements beyond the city boundaries
eg North America has many
How do cultural and heritage quarters attract people?
Focus on history of the area
eg Birmingham’s jewellery quarter
What are fortress developments?
Designed around security, protection and exclusion
Attracts affluent residents who will contribute to the economy of the city centre
Protections includes CCTV, fences, street lighting, speed bumps etc
What are the negatives of gentrification?
People on low incomes can’t afford higher house prices
Higher car ownership increases congestion
Traditional low-order shops may lose business
Friction between newcomers and original residents who challenge local traditions
What are the benefits of gentrification?
General rise in prosperity (larger range of services and businesses)
Increased local tax income for local authority
Physical environment of the area is improved
Employment opportunities created in design, building and refurbishment
