Urban Forms Flashcards
What is urban form?
The physical characteristics that make up a city.
What are 4 physical factors that can change urban form?
Topography
Water
Natural resources
Land type
What are 3 human factors that can change urban form?
Planning
Infrastructure
Land value
How can the topography affect the urban form?
The gradient of the land
How can natural resources affect urban form?
Can encourage growth in size and population in cities
How can infrastructure affect urban form?
Can lead to linear growth as new transport links are likely to be built.
How can land value affect urban form?
Profitable businesses locate in the city centre and independent businesses can be found further away.
What is CBD?
Central Business District.
What is the CBD surrounded by?
Housing
Why is housing in the city centre normally high density?
Because inner city areas have high land value
Why do OOTSCs develop?
Because of the availability of cheap land in semi-rural areas
What are town centre mixed developments?
Areas where land use is mixed - flats, bars, cinemas etc
Who plans Town Centre mixed developments?
By local councils often with private investment
What is the aim of town centre mixed developments?
To attract people back to city centres
What are cultural and heritage quarters?
Areas that focus on the history or character of a city
What is commonly in heritage and cultural quarters?
Theatres, art and historical buildings
Who plans for cultural and heritage quarters?
Local councils to regenerate former industrial areas
What is the aim of cultural and heritage quarters?
To attract visitors encouraging economic development and creating jobs.
What are fortress developments?
Developments with lots of security such as CCTV.
Where are fortress developments located normally?
In suburban areas of large cities
What is an example of a city with fortress developments?
LA
What is the aim of fortress developments?
Designed to give a safe environment for families
What is gentification?
When wealthier people move to rundown inner city areas and regenerate them by improving housing.
What do gentrified areas consist of ?
A wide range of services
What are edge cities?
Areas of office, shops and leisure facilities that develop close to major transport links
What are 3 characteristics of a post-modern city?
Higher social and economic inequality
Planning prioritises aesthetics of city instead of practical use
Wide range of building styles
What is the bid-rent theory?
When retail/commercial businesses are willing to pay the greatest rent to be located in the CBD.
Why is the CBD valuable for retail/commercial businesses?
Because it is traditionally the most accessible location for a large population
What does the bid-rent theory show us ?
That people are prepared and able to pay\rent for good access to the CBD.
Why have edge cities developed?
Because of a movement of wealthy people from the city to the suburbs
What are 3 features of post-modern cities?
Varied architecture
Greater culture diversity
Aesthetics over practicality
