Urban PatternsAP Human Geography

Urban Geography

Urban refers to highly developed areas where businesses, people, and industry cluster.

Not limited to big cities….also includes sub-urban areas.

Where are people and activities distributed in urban areas?

What patterns develop in urban areas?

Central Business District (CBD)

Aka “Downtown”Less than 1% of

land areaHigh % of services,

public institutionsHigh accessibilityFocal point of

transportation

Who locates in the CBD?

Retailers w/ high threshold◦Ex. Department stores◦Now replaced by malls

Retailers w/ high range◦Specialists, unique shops

Retailers serving downtown workers◦Office supplies, coffee shops, dry cleaning, fast

food restaurants

Characteristics of the CBD

Large public buildings such as libraries, churches, stations and town halls.

Specialty shops and branches of major department stores. Movie theatres, clubs and theatres. Very little housing, but often hotels. Little or no industry. Offices and other professional buildings. High pedestrian levels and the greatest parking restrictions. Geographical center of the settlement. Area with the highest land value. Well connected by public transport, with large numbers of

passengers. High traffic levels.

Chicago

Downtown Traffic

Road and Rail In Chicago

Where is the CBD?

Chicago at Night

Land Use in CBD’s

Land is expensive in CBD’sTokyo, London, NYCHigh cost of land forces vertical and

underground expansionSkyscrapersUnderground cities

Worlds Most Expensive Land

Cost of Land per square meter

1. Monte Carlo, Monaco – $47,5782. Moscow, Russia – $20,8533. London, England – $20,7564. Tokyo, Japan – $17,9985. Hong Kong – $16,1256. New York, USA – $14,8987. Paris, France – $12,1228. Singapore – $9,7019. Rome, Italy – $9,16610. Mumbai, India – $9,163

Land in LDC’s might be closer to $3-15 per square meter

Rural land is cheaper than urban land

Not Found in CBD’s

Industry◦Have relocated to suburban areas

Old industrial areas (harbors/ piers) are now tourist attractions

Ex. Navy PierResidents

◦Fluctuation: originally rich mansions and crowded apts., then suburbs, now “empty nesters” return in search of nightlife, entertainment, etc.

Skyscrapers

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Underground Tunnel System in Montrea

Urban Models

3 models, all developed in ChicagoWhy Chicago?

◦Flat (prairie)◦Few physical features that interrupt growth

(except Lake Michigan)Predict how cities will developWhere will different groups of people live

in urban areas?

Concentric Zone Model

E.W. BurgessCity grows outward in a series of rings5 Rings

◦1. CBD◦2. Transition (industry/ poor housing)◦3. Working class◦4. Better homes◦5. Commuters/ suburbs

Concentric Zone Model

Burgess’ Concentric Zone Model

Sector Model

Homer HoytCity develops in

sectors (sections/ wedges) not rings.

Industry and retail develop along transportation lines

Sector Model

Multiple Nuclei Model

Harris and UlmannMultiple centers around which activities

revolve.

Multiple Nuclei Model

Dallas TX (Concentric and Sector)

Latin American Model

Wealthiest residents live in CBD and long a commercial spine.

CBD features a market and town square.