Urban Functions and Land Value Concepts

Study Notes

Cities are understood through their functions, distribution and intensity of these functions.
Urban functions include: retail, industrial, commercial, residential, public space, educational.
Each function occupies a specific place in the city and has different densities.

Land-use is determined by land-value.
Highly valued land is used differently than cheaper land.
Land value impacts the intensity of land-use, determined by bid rent.
Bid rent: the amount of money a particular parcel of land could expect to receive.
Site and internal situation are crucial for determining land value.
Site: physical attributes of the location.
Internal situation: location compared to other parts of the city.
Prime-value intersection (PVI): point in the city with greatest access and highest land value.
PVI is often the Central Business District.
Land value decreases the greater the distance from the PVI.
More intense land use near the PVI, resulting in higher density and skyscrapers.

Often the most distinguishing feature of a city.
Decentralization and decline have lessened its earlier importance.
Plays a significant role in numerous cities.
Centrality is key to its placement.
Often located at transportation breaks (break-of-bulk-points).
Roles include: central marketplace, entertainment and cultural services, major transportation node, administrative center, corporate offices.
High land-value leading to intense land-use.
Higher density and pedestrian traffic.
Traditionally less residential.
CBD-frame / fringe: less intensive zone outside of CBD, often housing disamenities.

Density decreases as you move away from the CBD, from apartments to detached single-family homes.
In many American and South African cities, poorer households live in or near the CBD, while wealthier households live in suburbs and exurbs.
Wealthier households prefer suburban space, escaping negative externalities like noise and pollution.
The proportionate cost of access is higher for the poor than the wealthy.
There are positive externalities of living near the CBD, such as access to retail, entertainment, and cultural amenities.
Density gradient occurs with night-time density being higher than daytime density.

Land value and bid rent concept is central to urban expansion.
Transportation equals access, and access equals land value.
Pre-1850 walking cities:
- Functional integration with mixed-use neighborhoods.
- Retail scattered throughout residential areas.
- Greater social integration.
- No real CBD
Horse car and electric street car era (1850-1920):
- City expansion.
- Division by social class.
- Creation of a CBD.
- Increased mobility.

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