Theme 1 - 1.6 - Urban Settlements Flashcards
Define urban land use.
Activities such as industry, housing and commerce that may be found in towns and cities.
Define bid rent.
(A concept that) When land value and rent decreases as distance from the central business district increases.
Define central business district.
An area of an urban settlement where most of the commercial activity takes place.
Define suburbs.
The outer part of an urban settlement, generally consisting of residential housing and shops of a low order.
Define rural-urban fringe.
The boundary of a town or city, where new building is changing land use from rural to urban.
Define urban sprawl.
The unchecked outwards spread of built-up areas, which happens when urban areas continue to grow out without any planning.
Define redevelopment.
Attempts to improve an urban area.
Define urban renewal.
When existing buildings are improved.
Define gentrification.
The movement of higher social or economic groups into an area after it has been renovated and restored.
Where is the highest land value in a city?
In the central business district (CBD).
Which is the most accessible area of a city?
The central business district (CBD).
What are the characteristics of the central business district?
- High-rise buildings
- Lack of space
- High land value
- Traffic and lots of people
Where in a city are most residential areas found?
In the suburbs.
Where are most industrial areas in the city?
- Inner city
- Along major transport routes
- Edge-of-town locations
What is the inner city section characterised by?
- Poor-quality terraced housing
- Old manufacturing industry
- Often in neglect and decay
Which is usually the newest part of a city?
The suburbs
Why is the inner city often in neglect and decay?
It is old and the manufacturing is no longer profitable, which has led to a lack of investment.
How are urban areas changing?
- Much retail and commerce is now taking place on the edge of town
- Inner city is being used for residential purposes
- In LEDCs, shanty towns have formed -> These are slowly changing and being gentrified
How does urban development differ in LEDCs and MEDCs?
LEDCs lack the same industrial development that MEDCs have. Also, LEDCs’ land use is different to MEDCs’.
What are the two main land use models?
- Concentric model (Burgess)
* Sector model (Hoyt)
Describe the concentric land use model (Burgess model).
The model is a series of concentric rings in the order of: • CBD • Wholesale manufacturing • Low-class residential • Medium-class residential • High-class residential
Describe the sector land use model (Hoyt model).
The model is a series of sectors around a central point. The sectors are: • CBD • Wholesale manufacturing • Low-class residential • Medium-class residential • High-class residential
How did Hoyt think of his land use model?
- He came up with it after the development of public transport
- Sectors form along transport routes
What are the key points about land use in LICs?
- Rich generally live close to the city centre + Poor generally live on the periphery
- Higher quality land occupied by wealthy
- Segregation by wealth, race and ethnicity is evident
- Manufacturing is scattered through the city, along generally along transport routes
- Order: CBD, High-cost housing, Periferia (older informal housing with improvements), Favelas (new informal housing)
In LICs, where do the rich and poor live?
Rich • Close to city centre • Higher quality land Poor • Edges of city • Lower quality land
How can urban sprawl be prevented?
Green belts - areas surrounding a city in which urban development is limited.
What is a green belt?
Areas surrounding a city in which urban development is limited.
Where does the majority of urban change happen in the cit and why?
In edge-of-town locations because of:
• Lower land prices
• Land is available for development
• Accessibility to private cars is high
What happens to existing buildings in urban redevelopment?
They are either demolished and rebuilt, or renovated.
Who carries out urban redevelopment and urban renewal?
Government or a mix of government and private developers
In which part of the city is gentrification most common?
Inner city
What generally happens to propel living in an area which is gentrified?
They may out-migrate from the area.
Give some examples of gentrification in LICs.
- Woodstock in Cape Town (South Africa)
* Vidigal in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Is the CBD the same as the inner city?
No, the inner city is (or was) the industrial area surrounding the CBD.
What are the characteristics of the inner city?
- Poor-quality terraced 19th Century housing
- Old manufacturing industry
- Often in neglect and decay
- High population density
- Social problems
- Redevelopment may be happening
What are the characteristics of the inner suburbs?
- Semi-detached housing mostly - 1930s
- Less densely populated
- Tree-lined streets
What are the characteristics of the outer suburbs?
- Modern detached and semi-detached housing
- Mainly privately owned
- Gardens, garages and off-street parking
- Recreational activities -> E.g. Golf
- On the rural-urban fringe
Where are retail parks and industrial estates found in urban areas and why?
On the rural-urban fringe, because: • Good accessibility • Near suburban labour force • Cheaper land • Land available for expansion • Attractive environment
Give some land uses in the rural-urban fringe.
- New industries
- Recreational activities
- Housing
- Shopping centres
- New roads
What are the benefits of the rural-urban fringe for economic development?
- Cheap land
- Room for expansion
- Plenty of car-parking space
- Workers close by
- Good accessibility
- Attractive environment + Little pollution
What are greenfield and brownfield sites?
Greenfield: Sites which have never been build on
Brownfield: Sites which are old and derelict
What are the advantages and disadvantages of building on greenfield sites (instead of on brownfield sites)?
ADV. • Cheaper to build on • More freedom of location DIS. • Encourages urban sprawl • Ruins countryside • Encourages commuting and traffic congestion
What are the advantages and disadvantages of building on brownfield sites (instead of on greenfield sites)?
ADV. • Reduces urban sprawl • Improves urban environment • Not damaging to countryside • Reduces need for car use DIS. • Generally not as available in areas where there is a demand for housing • More expensive to build on -> Land needs to be cleared • Less choice of location
