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