CUE - Urban forms

Question 1

What is the hierarchy of world cities?

Answer 1

alpha ++
alpha +
alpha
alpha -
beta
gamma

Question 2

What are the different types of hub a world city can be?

Answer 2

Political hubs and international events
Business, transport and trade
Production
Migration

Question 3

Characteristics of world cities

Answer 3

High proportion of residents employed in services and information centres
Financial headquarters
Decision making power at a global level
Multifunctional infrastructure
Headquarters of TNCs
Centres of new ideas and innovation
International financial services
Major manufacturing centres
Centres of media and communications
High quality educational institutions

Question 4

What is urban morphology?

Answer 4

The spatial structure or form and organisation of an urban area

Question 5

Where did early industrial areas develop?

Answer 5

Close to rivers on flat land

Question 6

What are found on steep slopes in poorer countries?

Answer 6

Informal settlements e.g Rocinha

Question 7

What is the larger factor influencing urban form and land use now?

Answer 7

Human factors

Question 8

What is the main factor affecting land use in HICs?

Answer 8

Land value

Question 9

WHat is the PLVI?

Answer 9

The peak land value intersection - point of the highest land value, land prices decline with distance

Question 10

Why are land use patterns more complicated now in UK towns and cities?

Answer 10

Decentralisation of retailing
Infrastructure
Suburbanisation
Decline of CBD

Question 11

How has land use pattern changes in UK towns and cities?

Answer 11

There are now second peaks of high land value outside the city centre

Question 12

Describe the Bid-rent curve

Answer 12

Those willing to pay the most get the most expensive buildings in the CBD. These tend to be TNCs. Smaller businesses who will pay less get land in the inner city. Those who can’t afford as much get buildings even further out, mainly residential

Question 13

Causes of the decline of UK city centres in the last 30 years

Answer 13

Out-of-town retail parks and decentralisation of businesses and residential areas
Push factors including high parking costs, congestion, perception of city centre as dirty and unsafe
Recent competition from internet shopping

Question 14

4 strategies to reverse the city centre decline

Answer 14

More attractive shopping environments
All-weather shopping malls
Public transport link improvements
Business and marketing teams to coordinate management of CBD and run special events

Question 15

Name 5 new urban forms

Answer 15

Town centre mixed developments
Cultural and heritage quarters
Gentrified areas
Fortress Developments
Edge cities

Question 16

What are town centre mixed developments?

Answer 16

Areas where land use is mixed - residential, commercial and leisure uses are combined
Planned by councils with private investment
Attract people back to city centres

Question 17

What are cultural and heritage quarters?

Answer 17

Areas of a city that focus on the history and character of a city. There may be theatres, art galleries, historic buildings.
Often developed by councils to regenerate former industrial areas.

Question 18

What are gentrified areas?

Answer 18

When wealthier people move into rundown inner city areas and improve housing. They may have high quality services and high quality housing. Poor residents may be displaced, leading to social and ethnic segregation

Question 19

What are fortress developments?

Answer 19

Developments for residential or retail use with lots of security.
Often in suburban areas. Provide safe environment but very divisive.

Question 20

What are edge cities?

Answer 20

New areas of shops, offices and leisure facilities developing close to transport links, outside city centres where land is cheaper. May have housing but most people travel to them. Most have developed in 60s in USA as car ownership increased.

Question 21

How is gentrification different to regeneration schemes?

Answer 21

It involves the rehabilitation of old houses and streets on a piecemeal basis and is carried out by groups of individuals rather than large organisations

Question 22

5 causes of gentrification

Answer 22

The Rent Gap
Commuting costs reduced
The Pioneer Image
Support of government and local decision makers
Changing composition of households

Question 23

What is the rent gap?

Answer 23

When the price of property has fallen below its real value, usually due to lack of investment

Question 24

4 disadvantages of gentrification

Answer 24

People on low income can’t afford the higher property prices
Increased car ownership may lead to congestion
Loss of businesses for original low order services
Incomers may be seen as a threat to the original community

Question 25

4 advantages of gentrification

Answer 25

Rise in general prosperity and growth of certain services and businesses
Increased local tax income
Physical environment improved
Employment opportunities

Question 26

Give an example of a sprawling settlement. Give evidence

Answer 26

LA - core city 30km wide and 4 million people
Metropolitan area of under 18 million people and 100km at its widest.
More than 20 edge cities

Question 27

What is postmoderism?

Answer 27

The changes that took place in western society and culture in the late 20th century

Question 28

Give 5 key features of a postmodern western city.

Answer 28

Fortress landscapes
Edge cities
More fragmented urban form
Greater emphasis on tertiary and quaternary sectors
Varied architecture
Greater ethnic diversity but heightened economic, social and cultural inequalities