Chapter 10

The Urban World

Overview of Chapter 10
o

Population and Urbanization

City as an Ecosystem

Environmental Problems in Urban Areas

Environmental Benefits of Urbanization

Urban Land Use Planning

Characteristics of Urban Population

Urbanization Trends

Transportation and Urban Development

Suburban Sprawl

Making Cities More Sustainable

Population and Urbanization

o

By 2007 or 2008, half of the worlds

population will live in urban areas

Population and Urbanization

o

Urbanization

Jobs define urban vs. rural, not populations

Process in which people increasingly move

from rural areas to densely population cities
Rural area occupations involve harvesting
natural resources
Urban area occupations involve jobs not
connected with natural resources

People are moving to cities due to decrease

in employment opportunities in rural areas

Characteristics of Urban Population

o

Basic characteristics of city

populations:

Diverse population in terms of race,

ethnicity, religion and socioeconomic
status
More males in
Younger
population
developing
nation than local rural area
cities
More females in
developed nation
cities

Urbanization Trends
o

Urbanization is increasing rapidly

Especially in developing countries

Worlds 10 largest cities are in

developing countries

The Top Skylines in the World

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong has a whopping 43 buildings over 200 metres tall, 30 of which
were built in the year 2000 or later. It also boasts four of the 15 tallest buildings
in the world. Hong Kongs skyline shows a large selection of distinct skyreaching towers.

Metro/Urban Population: 6.9 million

http://citynoise.org/article/3432

The Top Skylines in the World

Chicago, Illinois
When Chicago built its first steel high-rise in 1885, it was not the tallest
structure in the world but the first example of a new form of engineering that
would change nearly every city on earth. Chicago has 19 buildings over 200 metres
tall (three of which are among the top 20 tallest buildings in the world, including
the tallest in North America).

Metro/Urban Population: 9.5 million

The Top Skylines in the World

Shanghai, China
China's biggest and most advanced city, Shanghai was said to be the most
cosmopolitan city in the beginning of the 20th century, but lost its glory during
the Mao era. It is now quickly regaining its position as one of the biggest
economic powerhouses in the world as well as a showcase of modern
architecture. In Shanghai youll find 25 structures that are over 200 metres tall,
one of which is the insanely tall, the 468m downtown Oriental Pearl TV
Tower.

Metro/Urban Population: 13.1 million

The Top Skylines in the World

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Already home of the world's tallest all-hotel building and the tallest allresidential building in the world, AND currently proposed to build the world's
tallest building. All seven structures in this city at over 200 metres tall were
built in 1999 or later - that's how new this city is.

Metro/Urban Population: 1.6 million

Palm Islands,
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Burj, Dubai
Worlds Tallest Human Structure

Urbanization Trends
o

Urban Agglomeration

Urbanized core region that consists of

several adjunct cities or megacities and
their surrounding developed suburbs

United States
Urban
Agglomerations
(Population of
50,000 or above)

Substandard Housing
o

Typically occupied
by squatters

No city services

o
o

Illegally occupy
unsafe housing
Water, sewage,
garbage collection,
police and fire
protection

1/3 of urban population in developing countries are squatters

Homelessness is present in lower numbers in developed
countries

Land UsePark City,

Utah
Undeveloped Open Space

Full Satellite View of City

Environmental Problems in Urban

Areas
o

Growing urban areas affect land use

patterns

Brownfields

Fragment wildlife
Encroach wetlands, forests, desert, etc.
Urban areas of abandoned industrial or
residential sites that may be contaminated
from past use

Impermeable surfaces and urban

runoff discharged into waterways

Motor oil, lawn fertilizers, heavy metals

Environmental Problems in Urban

Areas
o

Long commutes

o
o

Traffic congested streets

Buildup of airborne emissions due to cars
and industry

Noise pollution
Urban heat island

Local heat buildup in an area of high

population density
Affect local air currents and weather
conditions
Contribute to buildup of pollutants- dust
domes

Urban Heat Island

Temperature variations on a summer

afternoon

Environmental Benefits of
Urbanization
o

Well-planned city can benefit the

environment

Reduces pollution
Preserves rural areas

Compact Development

Design of cities where residential buildings

are close to shopping, jobs and public
transportation
Ex: Portland, Oregon

Urban Land Use Planning

o
o

Land use based on economic concerns

From center of city outwards:

City center- Central Business District

(highest taxes)
Residential properties (lower taxes than city
center)
Land intensive businesses (even lower taxes)
Suburbs (lowest taxes)

Parks and green space are interspersed

Urban Land Use Planning

o

Land Use Planning

o
o

Process of deciding the best use for

undeveloped land in a given area

Influenced by political and economic

factors
Regulated through zoning

Cities divided into use zones

Commercial
Residential
Industrial

Property owners must meet zoning

ordinances

Transportation and Urban

Development
o

Transportation
availability
affects citys
spatial
structure
Ex: An east
coast US city

(a) 1700-1850
(b) 1850-1910
(c) 20th century

Suburban Sprawl
o

Suburban Sprawl

Problems

Patchwork of vacant and developed tracts

around the edges of cities
Loss of wetlands
Air pollution
Water pollution
Loss of biological
habitat

11 states now have

new growth management laws (Smart Growth)

Making Cities More Sustainable

o

Characteristics of a sustainable city

Clear, cohesive urban growth policies

Efficient use of energy and other resources
Reduction of pollution and waste

Reuse and recycle materials in waste stream

Large areas of green space

Designed to be people-centers, not carcentered
Food grown IN the city (rooftop gardens)
Compact development

Copenhagen, Denmark
A People-centered City

Sustainable Cities
Case in Point- Curitiba, Brazil