AP Human Geography Unit 6: Cities and Urban Land Use

AP Human Geography Unit 6: Cities and Urban Land Use

Unit 6 of AP Human Geography focuses on the origin, distribution, and systems of cities, exploring urban structures and the challenges cities face. It examines urbanization processes, models of urban areas, and the impact of globalization on cities. The unit also addresses sustainability challenges and urban design initiatives aimed at improving livability. Students will analyze various urban concepts, including the central business district, residential zones, and the effects of urban sprawl. This unit is essential for AP Human Geography students preparing for the exam, providing insights into urban dynamics and planning.

Key Points

  • Explores urbanization processes and their impact on city growth.
  • Analyzes various models of urban areas, including concentric and sector models.
  • Discusses sustainability challenges faced by urban environments.
  • Examines the role of globalization in shaping urban structures.
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UNIT
6
••
+
+ Cities and Urban Land-Wse
Patter~s and Processes
Chapter
15
Origin, Distribution,
and
Systems
of
Cities
Chapter
16
Urban Structure
Chapter
17
Urban Challenges
and
Sustainability
Unit Overview
Cities and the suburbs around them are constantly changing- in how they are
laid out, how they work, and how large they are. One
of
the most basic questions
geographers study
is
why people move into, within,
or
out
of
various parts
of
urban
areas.
Models
of
Urban Areas
Geographers create models to show the distribution and size
of
cities. They
identify patterns that help explain why cities grow to various sizes and how
people
in
different cities are connected to each other.
Other
mod
els help
geographers analyze how cities are organized and develop. Cities generally
have zones for commerce, housing, and other functions.
Urban Landscapes
and
Urban Challenges
People express their attitudes and values through the landscapes they build and
how they organize social spaces. The choices people make, such
as
how closely
they live to others
and
where
to
build an airport, reflect what they consider
important.
Large concentrations
of
people can produce both great opportunities for
progress and great challenges. Some challenges result from decline, such
as
the
movement
of
industry out
of
cities. Others result from sustainability, such
as
how to keep air and water clean.
ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS
(PS0-6) The presence and growth of cities vary across geographical locations
because of physical geography and resources.
(IMP-6) The attitudes and values
of
a population,
as
well as the balance
of
power
within
that
population, are reflected in the built landscape.
(SPS-6) Urban areas face unique economic, political, cultural, and environmental
challenges.
Source:
AP
" Human
Ge
og
rap
hy
Course
an
d Exam Descr
ip
tion. Eff
ec
ti
ve Fa
ll
2020. (College Board).
UNIT
6: CITIES
AND
URBAN LAND-USE PATTERNS
AND
PROCESSES
365
CHAPTER15
Origin, Distribution, and
Systems of Cities
Topics
6.1-6.4
Topic
6.1
The Origin and Influences of Urbanization
Learning Objective: Explain the processes that initiate and drive urbanization
and suburbanization. (PS0-6.A)
Topic 6.2 Cities Across the World
Learning Objective: Explain the processes
that
initiate and drive urbanization
and suburbanization. (PS0-6.A)
Topic 6.3 Cities and Globalization
Learning Objective: Explain
how
cities embody processes
of
globalization.
(PS0-6.B)
Topic 6.4 The Size and Distribution of Cities
Learning Objective: Identify the different urban concepts such as hierarchy,
interdependence, relative size, and spacing that are useful for explaining the
distribution, size, and interaction
of
cities. (PS0-6.C)
Cities are extremely local
and
intimate places ....
At
the same time
they are the
product
of
complex interactions with other places near
and
far away.
-David
Lanegran, The Introductory Read
er
in Human Geography
Source: Dav
id
Pa
lm
er
Cities develop a
nd
change over
tim
e as illus
trat
ed by
th
e co
ntr
ast of
th
e
hi
storic core a
nd
co
nt
e
mp
orary skyscrapers of Lo
nd
on. (See to
pi
c 5
.1
fo
r factors that influence how cities
develop.)
366
CHAPTER
15:
ORIGIN, DISTRIBUTION,
AND
SYSTEMS OF CITIES
I
I
0
6.1
The Origin and Influence of
Urbanization
Essential Question: What are the processes that
in
itiate and drive
urbanization?
T
he
permanently inhabited portion
of
the earth's
surface-what
the classical
Greeks called
the
ecumene-is
a variety
of
community types with a range
of
population densities.
As
humans increasingly settled in
permanent
locations,
classifications
of
settlements emerged:
• Rural areas (farms
and
villages) with low concentrations
of
people
• Urban areas (cities) with high concentrations
of
people
• Suburbs
that
are primarily residential areas near cities
Factors Driving Urbanization
A settlement is a place with a permanent human population. The first agricultural
settlements appeared around 12,000 years ago. Before that, people survived by
hunting and gathering, so they lived in temporary or movable shelters. The first
permanent settlements were small enough that the inhabitants could all farm and
subsist on the surrounding
fields.
Over time, in several places around the world,
small agricultural settlements began to develop characteristics that made them the
first true urban settlements, or
cities:
• the presence
of
an
agricultural surplus
• the rise
of
social stratification
and
a leadership class
or
urban
elite
• the beginning
of
job specialization
A food surplus became available
as
irrigation, farming,
and
domestication
of
animals
and
plants developed. These changes enabled increasing numbers
of
people
to
live
in
the same location. A ruling class emerged
to
control the
products
that
were accumulated
and
the people living in the community.
Because
not
everyone was needed to produce food, some people specialized
in
making things, such as tools, weapons,
and
art. Others specialized as accountants
or religious
leaders-the
first members
of
a service sector.
As
a result, cities
developed as economic centers
of
services, manufacturing, and trade.
Urbanization
The process
of
developing towns
and
cities
is
known as urbanization,
an
ongoing process that does
not
end
once a city is formed. Urbanization also
6.1: THE ORIGIN
AND
INFLUENCE OF URBANIZATION
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Faqs of AP Human Geography Unit 6: Cities and Urban Land Use
What are the main urban models discussed in Unit 6?
Unit 6 discusses several key urban models, including the concentric zone model, sector model, and multiple-nuclei model. The concentric zone model illustrates how cities expand outward in rings from the central business district (CBD), while the sector model emphasizes the development of urban areas in wedge-shaped sectors based on transportation routes. The multiple-nuclei model suggests that cities develop around multiple centers or nodes, each attracting different types of activities. These models help explain the spatial organization of urban areas and the factors influencing their growth.
How does urbanization affect social structures in cities?
Urbanization significantly impacts social structures by altering population density and diversity within cities. As people migrate to urban areas for job opportunities, cities become melting pots of different cultures, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses. This diversity can lead to vibrant communities but may also result in challenges such as segregation and inequality. Urbanization often concentrates poverty in certain neighborhoods, creating disparities in access to services and quality of life. Understanding these social dynamics is crucial for effective urban planning and policy-making.
What challenges do cities face regarding sustainability?
Cities face numerous sustainability challenges, including urban sprawl, pollution, and inadequate infrastructure. Urban sprawl leads to the inefficient use of land and resources, increasing the ecological footprint of cities. Pollution from vehicles and industries contributes to health problems and environmental degradation. Additionally, many cities struggle to provide adequate public services, such as transportation, housing, and sanitation, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas. Addressing these challenges requires innovative urban design initiatives and collaborative planning efforts.
What is the significance of greenbelts in urban planning?
Greenbelts play a crucial role in urban planning by preserving open spaces and limiting urban sprawl. These undeveloped areas surrounding cities provide recreational opportunities, protect natural habitats, and contribute to environmental sustainability. By restricting development in these zones, cities can maintain a balance between urban growth and ecological health. Greenbelts also enhance the quality of life for residents by offering access to nature and reducing the negative impacts of urbanization, such as air pollution and heat islands.
How does gentrification impact urban neighborhoods?
Gentrification transforms urban neighborhoods by increasing property values and attracting wealthier residents, often displacing long-term, lower-income residents. While it can lead to improved infrastructure and amenities, gentrification can also erode the cultural identity of communities and exacerbate social inequalities. As new businesses and developments cater to affluent newcomers, existing residents may find it difficult to afford rising rents and taxes. Understanding the dual nature of gentrification is essential for policymakers aiming to balance revitalization with community preservation.