AP Human Geography Unit 6: Urban Land Use

• AP Human Geography Unit 6 revolves around cities and urban land use, exploring how urban areas are structured, how they grow, and the challenges they face.

Urban Patterns and Processes

• Urbanization describes the population shift from rural to urban areas, impacting culture, economy, and the environment.
• Urban areas are classified by size, population, function, and economic base.
• Models like the Concentric Zone, Sector, Multiple Nuclei, and Galactic City explain urban spatial structure.
• These models help analyze residential patterns, but have limitations due to changing urban forms and globalization.
• Density gradients show population density declines from the city center to the periphery.
• Edge cities are new concentrations of business and commerce in suburban areas.
• Infrastructure development and transportation systems shape urban growth and spatial patterns.
• Economic opportunities, cultural attractions, and government policies drive urbanization.
• Suburbanization and counter-urbanization are significant trends altering urban landscapes.
• Government policies, like zoning and urban renewal, influence urban development and land use.

Impacts of Urbanization

• Urban sprawl, the expansion of low-density development, results in increased transportation costs, habitat loss, and environmental problems.
• Gated communities reflect social stratification and create spatial segregation.
• Urban areas face challenges like pollution, waste management, and infrastructure maintenance.
• Redlining and blockbusting are discriminatory practices contributing to urban decline and segregation.
• Environmental injustice leads to disproportionate exposure of minority and low-income communities to environmental hazards.
• Urban sustainability involves creating environmentally friendly, socially equitable, and economically viable cities.
• Brownfields, abandoned industrial sites, require remediation to prevent environmental contamination and promote urban redevelopment.

Urban Economic and Social Issues

• Economic activities in urban areas include manufacturing, services, and information technology.
• The informal economy provides livelihoods for many urban residents, but often lacks regulation and worker protections.
• Gentrification, the renovation of deteriorated urban areas, can improve neighborhoods but also displace existing residents.
• Homelessness is a complex issue related to poverty, lack of affordable housing, and mental health.
• Urban crime rates and safety concerns affect quality of life and social cohesion.
• Access to education, healthcare, and social services varies across urban neighborhoods.
• Food deserts, areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food, contribute to health disparities.
• Transportation options, including public transit and private vehicles, impact accessibility and mobility.

The Future of Cities

• Smart cities use technology to improve urban services, infrastructure, and quality of life.
• New Urbanism promotes walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods to reduce reliance on cars and foster community.
• Urban planning involves designing and managing urban spaces to achieve specific goals.
• Historic preservation seeks to protect historic buildings and districts from demolition and insensitive development.
• Urban redevelopment aims to revitalize blighted areas and create new opportunities for residents and businesses.
• The "world city" concept refers to global centers of economic, cultural, and political power.
• Megacities, cities with over 10 million inhabitants, face unique challenges related to population density and resource management.
• The role of urbanization in sustainable development involves balancing economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection.
• Patterns of migration significantly affect urbanization (rural-urban, urban-urban, international).
• Urban areas have unique forms of culture and diverse cultural identities