Urbanization: Factors and Impact

• Unit 6 focuses on cities and urban landscapes.
• Topic 1 introduces key concepts related to urbanization.
• The central question is: What factors drive urbanization, and how does it shape human settlements and societies?

Essential Vocabulary

• Ecumene refers to the permanently inhabited portion of the earth's surface.
• Urban areas, suburbs, and rural areas are all components of the ecumene.
• Urbanization is the ongoing process of towns and cities developing.
• Urbanization experienced rapid growth in the 20th century due to migration and industrialization.
• Urbanization creates challenges like pollution and overcrowding, along with opportunities like economic growth.

Urban Hearths

• Urban Hearths are the earliest centers of urban development.
• Civilization first emerged in these regions.
• Urban Hearths geographically are located in river valleys with seasonal flooding and fertile soil to support agriculture.
• Agricultural surpluses allowed for population growth, and the rise of complex societies.
• These hearths laid the foundations for modern urbanization, trade, and governance.

First Settlements

• Settlement: A settlement is a place with a permanent human population.
• First settlements emerged 12,000 years ago alongside plant and animal domestication.
• More food allowed for larger, permanent communities and an elite class controlling resources.
• Specialization: Fewer farmers led to the development of jobs beyond agriculture.
• Early agricultural settlements developed key features of urban life.

Urban Population

• Percent Urban defines the percentage of a population living in urban areas versus rural areas.
• Over 50% of people now live in cities.
• MDCs have higher urban rates while LDCs have faster urban growth.
• Causes from LDCs: industrialization, jobs, migration, and infrastructure
• Rapid urbanization effects: economic growth, overcrowding, pollution, and infrastructure strain.

Drivers of Urbanization

• Population Growth: Rising numbers increase housing, jobs, and service demands.
• Economic Development: Industrialization creates jobs, attracting workers to cities.
• Migration: People move for employment, better living conditions, and amenities.
• Government Policies: Investments in infrastructure and security boost urban growth.
• Changes in Transportation: Improved commuting networks expand cities.

Model of Urban Growth

• Borchert's Model of Urban Growth explains urbanization through transportation technology.
• Each new transportation system reshaped how people moved within and between cities.
• Urban history is divided into four transportation-based periods called "epochs."
• Each epoch influenced city size, density, and spatial arrangement.

Borchert's Model: Epochs & Conditions

• Sail-Wagon Epoch (1790-1830):
  • Water ports were vital.
  • Poor road conditions made travel between cities difficult.
• Iron Horse Epoch (1830-1870):
  • Steam-powered boats led to the growth of river cities.
  • Rail lines connected industrial sites and resources.
• Steel Rail Epoch (1870-1920):
  • Transcontinental railways emerged.
  • Cities emerged along rail lines in the interior of continents.
• Auto-Air-Amenity Epoch (1920-1970):
  • Cars allowed cities to spread out.
  • Airport hubs emerged.
  • Cities became more interconnected.

What is a city?

• A city is a concentrated population center serving as an economic, political, and cultural hub, but their population requirement varies by country.
  • For example, in the U.S., it's 10,000+.
• Over half the world's population lives in cities.
• Rapid urbanization is occurring in developing countries.
• Cities fuel economic growth, but face inequality and congestion.

Metropolitan Areas

• A Metropolitan Area includes a city and surrounding areas with high population density.
• They include the central city, suburbs, and sometimes exurbs.
• Serves as a region's economic, cultural, and political hub.
• New York City Metropolitan Area is the largest in the U.S.
  • Includes NYC, Long Island, and northern New Jersey.
• The Los Angeles Metropolitan Area is a sprawling area including LA, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.

Megalopolis

• Megalopolis: A chain of interconnected cities functioning as a single urban region, also known as conurbation.
• Key features: high population, economic hubs, transport networks, and urban sprawl.
• East Coast Example: BosWash, from Boston to Washington D.C, includes New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
• West Coast Example: SanSan, from San Francisco to San Diego, contains Los Angeles and Silicon Valley.

Megacities

• Megacities are cities with over 10 million people, exerting national and global influence.
• Their growth is driven by high birth rates and migration, especially in developing countries.
• Face issues such as overcrowding and lack of resources.
• Examples of Megacities include:
  • Bangkok, Thailand
  • Beijing, China
  • Cairo, Egypt
  • Delhi, India
  • Guangzhou, China
  • Istanbul, Turkey
  • Jakarta, Indonesia
  • Karachi, Pakistan
  • Lagos, Nigeria
  • London, UK
  • Mexico City, Mexico
  • Moscow, Russia
  • New York City, USA
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Shanghai, China
  • Shenzhen, China
  • Tehran, Iran
  • Tokyo, Japan

Metacities

• Metacity is a city with over 20 million people.
• As of 2024, 9 metacities exist worldwide.
• Many megacities (10+ million people) are expected to grow into metacities in the coming decades.
• Meta Cities for 2024:
  • Tokyo (37.1 million)
  • Delhi (33.8 million)
  • Shanghai (29.9 million)
  • Dhaka (23.9 million)
  • São Paulo (22.8 million)
  • Cairo (22.6 million)
  • Mexico City (22.5 million)
  • Beijing (22.2 million)
  • Mumbai (21.7 million)

World cities

• World Cities: A city exerting influence far beyond its national boundaries.
• Human Capital: Large, diverse population attracting innovation and talent.
• Economic Influence: Centers of corporate headquarters, banks, finance, and stock exchanges.
• Cultural Influence: Hubs for education, international sports, and tourism.
• Political Influence: Hosts embassies, think tanks, and global political events.
• They are primarily found in highly developed countries.
• Attracts many educated and skilled workers.
• Highly interconnected through communication, trade, and finance networks.
• The Top 10 World Cities of 2023 include:
  • New York City
  • London
  • Paris
  • Tokyo
  • Beijing
  • Brussels
  • Singapore
  • Los Angeles
  • Melbourne
  • Hong Kong

The Suburbs

• Suburbanization: The movement of people from cities to residential areas on the outskirts.
• Suburbs maintain connections to cities for jobs, shopping, and services.
• Population Density: Has less crowded urban areas.
• Demographic Trends: Less ethnically diverse than cities, but this varies by region.

Boomburbs

• Boomburbs: Large suburbs with 100,000+ rapidly growing residents.
• Suburban Characteristics: Lack their own economic centers but remain residential and commuter-based.
• Location: The Sunbelt region of the U.S., where population growth is high.

Edge Cities

• Edge City: A suburb that grows into an independent economic hub with business, retail, and entertainment.
• Location: Found at major transportation intersections like highways, beltways, and transit hubs.
• Growth is driven by suburbanization and car dependency.
• Key Features: Office parks, shopping centers, and corporate headquarters.
• Impact: Reduces reliance on the central city but increases sprawl and traffic.
• Irvine, CA acts as an edge city with corporate offices, retail, and a strong economy near I-5 and I-405.

Counter-Urbanization

• Counter-Urbanization: The movement of people from urban to rural areas.
• Causes: Driven by high urban costs, overcrowding, and declining inner-city conditions.
• Technology's Role: Telecommuting makes rural living more viable.
• Increases property prices.
• Disrupts traditional lifestyles.
• May cause tension with longtime residents.

Exurbs

• Exurbs: Wealthy commuter communities located beyond the suburbs.
• Motivation: People move for lower property costs, more space, and privacy.
• Residents: Known as "exurbanites," or remote workers.
• Characteristics: Larger homes and fewer amenities
• There are longer commutes, reliance on cars, and limited public services
• Temecula, CA: Example of a growing exurb with larger homes and longer commutes into San Diego or Los Angeles.