10.1: Chapter Introduction and Objectives
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Chapter Introduction & Objectives
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Learning Objectives for Chapter on Urbanization
- Understand Human Settlements: Analyze the evolution and characteristics of human settlements, focusing on how historical and developmental processes shape urban life.
- Define Urban Areas: Identify and apply the criteria used to define urban areas globally, including population density, land use, and the incorporation status.
- Examine Urbanization Trends: Evaluate the technological, economic, and social changes driving urbanization, and distinguish between the urbanization processes in developed and developing regions.
- Explore Urban Patterns: Investigate the spatial patterns and structures of cities, including the phenomena of overurbanization and the contrast between luxury housing and informal settlements.
- Analyze Economies of Agglomeration: Explain the concept of economies of agglomeration and its impact on urban growth, highlighting the benefits of spatial clustering for businesses, services, and infrastructure.
- Assess Economic and Organic Models: Compare and contrast different models of urbanization, such as economic and organic models, and their implications for urban planning and development.
- Understand the City as a Place: Recognize the multifaceted role of cities as hubs of economic, cultural, and social activities, and their significance in contemporary societies.
- Explore Industry and Trade in Urban Areas: Assess the role of industry and trade in shaping urban areas, considering how economic activities influence urban development and patterns.
- Evaluate Regional Urban Variations: Examine regional variations in urbanization, considering how local needs, resources, and historical contexts contribute to diverse urban forms and functions.
- Analyze the Impact of Urbanization on Society: Investigate the social implications of urbanization, including issues of infrastructure development, housing, and the quality of urban life.
Chapter 10: Urbanization
Human Settlements
Introduction to Urban Areas
Urbanization is a significant phenomenon in modern geography, with over 54% of the world's population now residing in urban areas. Understanding the evolution of cities is crucial for grasping the complexities of contemporary societies. Cities function as hubs of economic, cultural, and social activities, making them central to modern living. Each city, while unique in its local needs and resources, shares common historical and developmental processes that shape urban life.
Defining Cities
Defining a city varies globally, with different criteria used to determine what constitutes an urban area. Historically, the US Census defined urban areas based on incorporation status and population size. However, this method had limitations, leading to a more comprehensive approach that combines population density and land use criteria. An area is now considered urban if it has a minimum density of 1,000 people per square mile and includes non-residential urban land uses. This approach helps create contiguous urban regions, encompassing suburbs and nearby urbanized areas.
Urbanization Trends
Urbanization is driven by technological, economic, and social changes. Historical advancements such as the steam engine, railroads, and the internet have significantly influenced urban growth. In developed regions, urbanization often results from economic growth, leading to the decentralization of residential, commercial, and industrial land uses. Conversely, in developing regions, urbanization is frequently driven by demographic growth rather than economic development, resulting in overurbanization. This phenomenon leads to stark contrasts between luxury housing and informal settlements, with population growth outpacing the development of urban infrastructure.
Economies of Agglomeration
Cities thrive due to economies of agglomeration, where the spatial clustering of activities reduces costs and increases efficiency. The proximity of businesses, services, and infrastructure in urban areas leads to significant time and cost savings, making cities convenient places to live, work, and play. This principle explains why nearly 80% of Americans live in urban areas, with states like California having even higher urban populations.
Figure | Five Hearths of Urbanization Author | User “Canuckguy” and Corey Parson Source | Wikimedia Commons License | CC BY SA 4.0
Urban Origins
The earliest towns and cities developed independently in various regions of the world, known as hearth areas. These regions experienced the first agricultural revolution, transitioning from hunting and gathering to agricultural food production. The five primary hearth areas include Mesopotamia and Egypt (both part of the Fertile Crescent), the Indus Valley, Northern China, and Mesoamerica. These regions laid the foundations for urbanization through the development of large, fortified city-states and complex urban systems.
- Mesopotamia and Egypt: Around 3500 B.C., Mesopotamia, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, saw the growth of significant agricultural villages that evolved into large city-states like Ur and Babylon. Egypt's urbanization began around 3000 B.C., with cities such as Memphis and Thebes developing along the Nile Valley.
- Indus Valley: By 2500 B.C., large urban settlements such as Mohenjo-Daro emerged in modern-day Pakistan, supported by fertile soils and extensive irrigation systems.
- Northern China: Around 1800 B.C., urbanization began in the fertile plains of the Huang He River (Yellow River), leading to the development of significant urban centers.
- Mesoamerica: Urbanization occurred around 100 B.C. with civilizations like the Zapotec and Mayan in Mexico, and later, the Inca Empire in Andean America around A.D. 800. Teotihuacan, near modern Mexico City, reached its height between A.D. 300 and 700 with approximately 200,000 inhabitants.
Figure | Fertile Crescent Author | User “NormanEinstein” Source | Wikimedia Commons License | CC BY SA 3.0
Figure | Teotihuacan, Mexico Author | User “BrCG2007” Source | Wikimedia Commons License | Public Domain