Urban Geography Concepts

Questions and Answers

What does 'Annexation' refer to?

A process of change in housing use

A model of urban structure

Legally adding land area to a city in the United States (correct)

A cooperative agency for local governments

What is a Census Tract?

An area delineated by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for statistical publication.

What is the Concentric Zone Model?

A model of the internal structure of cities where social groups are arranged in a series of rings.

What is the Council of Government?

A cooperative agency consisting of representatives of local governments in a metropolitan area in the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of Density Gradient?

The change in density in an urban area from the center to the periphery. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Edge City?

A large node of office and retail activities on the edge of an urban area. Signup and view all the answers

What does Filtering refer to?

A process of change in the use of a house, from single-family owner to abandonment. Signup and view all the answers

What is Gentrification?

A process of converting an urban neighborhood from predominantly low-income renting to predominantly middle-class ownership. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Greenbelt?

A ring of land maintained as parks or open space to limit urban sprawl. Signup and view all the answers

Define Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

A central city of at least 50,000 population and surrounding areas with functional connections to the city. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Micropolitan Statistical Area?

An urbanized area of between 10,000 and 50,000 inhabitants including tied counties. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the Multiple Nuclei Model.

A model of urban structure where social groups are arranged around multiple nodes of activities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Peripheral Model?

A model of North American urban areas with an inner city surrounded by suburban residential and business areas. Signup and view all the answers

What is Public Housing?

Housing owned by the government rented to low-income residents at adjusted rents. Signup and view all the answers

What is Redlining?

A process where banks refuse to lend money based on geographic boundaries. Signup and view all the answers

Define Rush (or Peak) Hour.

The four consecutive 15-minute periods in the morning and evening with the heaviest traffic. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Sector Model?

A model of urban structure where social groups are arranged in sectors radiating from the central business district. Signup and view all the answers

What is Smart Growth?

Legislation and regulations to limit suburban sprawl and preserve farmland. Signup and view all the answers

What is Sprawl?

Development of new housing sites at low density and not contiguous to existing areas. Signup and view all the answers

Define Squatter Settlement.

An area within a city where individuals establish illegal residences. Signup and view all the answers

What does Underclass refer to?

A group in society prevented from participating in the benefits of a developed society. Signup and view all the answers

What is Urbanization?

An increase in the percentage and number of people living in urban settlements. Signup and view all the answers

What is Urban Renewal?

A program identifying and revitalizing blighted inner-city neighborhoods. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Zoning Ordinance?

A law that limits land use and development density in a community. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Annexation

Legally adds land to a city in the U.S.

Census Tract

Defined area by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical publication, roughly corresponds to neighborhoods in urban areas.

Concentric Zone Model

Describes urban structure with social groups arranged in concentric rings around a central point.

Council of Government

A cooperative agency with representatives from local governments in metropolitan areas of the U.S.

Density Gradient

Represents the variation of population density from the urban center to its outskirts.

Edge City

A significant area of office and retail activity located at the outskirts of a city.

Filtering

Process of transitioning a house use from single-family ownership to potential abandonment.

Gentrification

Transition of an urban neighborhood from low-income rentals to higher-income owner-occupied residences.

Greenbelt

A designated area of parks or open spaces surrounding urban areas to control urban sprawl.

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Defined by a central city with a minimum of 50,000 residents and includes surrounding counties with economic ties.

Micropolitan Statistical Area

Urbanized area with a population between 10,000 and 50,000, alongside its county and adjacent counties.

Multiple Nuclei Model

Urban model proposing that cities have multiple centers or nodes of activity rather than a single nucleus.

Peripheral Model

Depicts North American urban structure with an inner city surrounded by residential and commercial areas linked by a beltway.

Public Housing

Government-owned housing in the U.S. rented to low-income residents, with rents set at 30% of income.

Redlining

A discriminatory practice where banks delineate areas on maps and refuse loans for property within those boundaries.

Rush (or Peak) Hour

The busiest traffic times, occurring in four consecutive 15-minute periods during morning and evening.

Sector Model

Suggests urban structure with social groups arranged in sectors or wedges, expanding outward from the central business district (CBD).

Smart Growth

Legislation aimed at controlling suburban expansion and conserving farmland.

Sprawl

Development characterized by new housing at low density in areas not directly connected to existing urban centers.

Squatter Settlement

Informal housing areas in developing countries where residents construct homes illegally on unowned land.

Underclass

Social group marginalized from access to benefits and opportunities available in a developed society due to various socio-economic factors.

Urbanization

The process that leads to an increase in both the percentage and absolute number of people living in urban areas.

Urban Renewal

A city program targeting deteriorating neighborhoods, involving property acquisition, relocation of residents, redevelopment, and private development.

Zoning Ordinance

Legislation that dictates allowable land use and density limits within a community.

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Description

Test your knowledge on essential urban geography concepts including annexation, census tracts, and gentrification. This quiz explores the complexities of urban structures and population dynamics in metropolitan areas. Challenge yourself to understand the factors affecting urban development.