Chapter 13: Urbanization

Creating Livable Cities

www.aw-bc.com/Withgott

Urbanization

it is the shift from rural living forming cities and towns.

arguably the single greatest change since transitioning from a nomadic hunter-gatherer becoming sedentary people introducing agriculture to our way of life.

Industrialization

overproduction of agricultural goods lead to the specialization of professions

leading to: class structure political hierarchies urban centers positive feedback: better technology= more and

better paid jobs= more migration to the cities

Population in Developing Countries (2005-2007)

www.aw-bc.com/Withgott

Geography of Urban Areas

Factors: climate topography waterways location, location, location

major river (Mississippi, Hudson, Ohio, Colorado) sea coast (Gulf Coast) railroad or highway trading corridor (I-35)

To the Suburbs

1950's Pros more space economic opportunities cheaper real estate less crime better schools

Cons

human impact on the environment longer commute need of car congested traffic pollution lack of green space health land use costs of infrastructure

DFW 1990

www.earthvisionllc.net

DFW 2000

www.earthvisionllc.net

DFW 2009

www.earthvisionllc.net

DFW 2014

www.earthvisionllc.net

Sprawl

"spread of low-density urban or suburban development outward from an urban center."

causes for sprawl number of people highways- more people migrate technology (internet)- can work from home preference to space and privacy vs crowdedness per capital land consumption larger homes larger cars larger "stuff" like electric and electronic gadgets

Creating Livable Cities

city planning parks and playgrounds neighborhood conditions traffic mapping of railroads, bus lines and such

regional planning– same principles but in a much larger scale

metroplex

– zoning

Urban Growth Boundaries (UGB)

intended to limit sprawl contains future growth within already existing

urbanized areas limiting costs of infrastructure

it can be adjusted according to needs

Pros

revitalizes downtown preserves ecosystem: restoration via parks

and reserves protects farms and industry already there ensures access to open spaces near city "building up" employment increased

Cons

costs of housing are increasing density increases size of lots/houses decrease

New Urbanism

designs neighborhoods with house, school, buisnesses and amenities close together

mimic the traditional urban layout that existed before the creation of suburbs

very dependant on public transportation

Smart Growth

consists of building up, not out– develops existing communities

multistory shopping center and housing buildings– Addison Circle

mass transit is vital– cheaper, cleaner, efficient

predictable, fair and cost-effective spending parks and open spaces community collaboration in city development

www.nctcog.org/TRANS

Urban Sustainability

urbanization has positive and negative impacts

depends on– use of resources: cities are "resource sinks"– production of goods: inefficient – material transportation: inefficient– waste: more consumption= more waste

Pollution

some are exported– waste– air pollutants– some water & soil pollutants

noise pollution– highways

light pollution

Night view panorama from Palomar observatory

San DiegoL.A.

www.astro.caltech.edu/palomar

Innovation

promoting education, technology and scientific research

renewable energy pollution reduction local and organic produce recycling programs environmentally friendly technologies tax incentives (cash for clunkers) waste recycling

THE END