Geography of Sunbelt Cities

Cities located in the southern and southwestern United States, known for rapid population growth and economic development, such as Los Angeles, Houston, and Phoenix.

The movement of people from one region to another within a country, often driven by economic opportunities or lifestyle preferences.

The process of businesses relocating to different areas, often seeking lower costs or a more favorable business environment.

The attraction of people to a particular location due to factors like job opportunities or a desirable quality of life.

Factors that encourage people to leave a particular location, such as economic hardship or political instability.

A type of government structure where power is distributed among various branches, often characterized by a weak mayor and a council elected at-large.

A political agenda that prioritizes business interests and economic growth, often characterized by lower social spending and a focus on attracting investment.

The influence and control of a particular group, often a wealthy elite, over political decisions and outcomes.

The shift of population and economic activity from urban centers to surrounding areas.

The period between 1946 and 1960s saw a surge in the development of suburbs characterized by residential areas with residents commuting to the city for work, shopping, and entertainment.

The period from 1960s onwards witnessed the rise of suburbs that were self-sufficient, offering employment, shopping, and recreation options within the suburbs themselves.

The decrease in population and economic activity in urban centers due to the outward migration to suburbs.

The federal government's policies, such as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Veterans Administration (VA), and Highway Act, encouraged residential development in suburbs and facilitated the outward migration.

The availability of cheaper land and space in suburbs compared to urban areas made it more attractive for manufacturing companies to relocate outside the city.

As financial and other essential services became increasingly accessible outside the city, businesses like commercial enterprises and retail establishments followed the population shift to the suburbs.

The transformation of urban downtowns into bustling commercial and entertainment centers with a renewed focus on urban living.

A situation where different jurisdictions (like cities and suburbs) exist within the same metropolitan area, leading to separate governments and decision-making processes.

The lack of coordination and cooperation between different jurisdictions in a metropolitan area, leading to inefficiencies and conflicts.

The tendency for people of similar socioeconomic backgrounds to live in specific areas, often resulting in segregation based on income.

A situation where different racial or ethnic groups live in distinctly separate areas.

The decline in economic activity and population in a central city, often due to suburbanization and the shift of jobs and businesses to the suburbs.

The decrease in political influence of central cities compared to suburbs, often leading to a loss of representation and funding.

The process of a city losing population and economic activity to surrounding suburbs, often resulting in a shift in demographics and resources.

A phenomenon where developed land expands at a faster rate than population growth, leading to the continuous expansion and interconnectedness of urban areas.

The decline in social interactions and communal bonds within a community, potentially resulting from physical isolation and lack of shared public spaces.

The increasing diversity of racial and socioeconomic groups residing in suburban areas.

Suburbs with a minority population of 35% or more, reflecting the changing demographics and increasing diversity of suburban areas.

The financial and social challenges experienced by inner-ring suburbs, mirroring those of central cities.

The expansion of urban development into surrounding rural areas, often resulting in environmental degradation and social challenges.

The increasing trend of minorities, particularly Black and Latino populations, moving to suburban areas.

Describes the challenges faced by suburbs due to sprawl, including environmental impact, infrastructure costs, and limited potential for mass transit.

A government-backed program that made homeownership more accessible to veterans after World War II.

Government agency that insured mortgages, encouraging lenders to provide loans to those who may not have qualified.

A planned residential community designed for mass production, characterized by uniform houses and a focus on affordability.

The process of creating large-scale housing developments, usually involving standardized designs and construction methods.

A housing development built by William Levitt, known for its efficiency and affordability, considered a prototype for the mass-produced suburban home.

A restrictive agreement that limits who can buy or occupy a property, often used to exclude certain groups based on race, religion, or other factors.

The increased popularity of suburban living following World War II, driven by factors like economic prosperity and a desire for more space.

The significant post-war increase in automobile ownership, driving the suburbanization trend and reshaping American life.

The negative impacts of sprawl include increased traffic congestion, air pollution, depletion of natural resources, and loss of farmland.

Strategies aimed at managing growth by focusing development in existing areas with infrastructure, preserving green spaces, and promoting compact development.

A type of growth management that focuses on developing existing areas with infrastructure, preserving green spaces, and encouraging walkable neighborhoods.

A pre-defined boundary intended to control urban sprawl by limiting development outside the designated area.

A planning approach that emphasizes neighborhood design, walkability, mixed-use development, and community engagement, aiming to reduce sprawl and create more livable communities.

The argument that the common good is often neglected when individuals act in their own self-interest, leading to overuse and depletion of shared resources. Sprawl is often cited as an example where individual development decisions lead to negative collective consequences.

In Baltimore County, Maryland, it is a boundary that regulates development to limit sprawl.