Unit VII: Urban Land Use
houses large public buildings such as libraries, churches, stations and town halls. contains specialist shops and branches of major department stores. contains social amenities such as cinema halls, clubs and theatres. contains little housing, but often hotels. contains little or no industry. contains offices and other professional buildings. contains buildings that tend to be taller than buildings in other parts of the city (because land prices tend to be at a premium, making high-rise buildings economically favorable) has high pedestrian levels and the greatest parking restrictions. (often) is the geographical centre of the settlement. (often) is the area with the highest land value. is well connected by public transport, with large numbers of passengers. has high traffic levels. The following characteristics are typical of (though not always present in) most CBDs, downtowns, or city centers:
Suburbanization of Businesses Businesses have moved to suburbs: manufacturers because land costs are lower, service providers because most of their customers are there.
Retail Centers in Atlanta Fig : Most shopping malls in Atlanta and other cities are in the suburbs. The ideal location is near an interchange on an interstate highway beltway circling the city.
Suburbanization of Factories and Offices Factories and warehouses have migrated to suburbia for more space, cheaper land, and better truck access. Modem factories and warehouses are spread over a single level. Industries increasingly receive inputs and distribute products by truck. Offices that do not require face-to- face contact increasingly are moving to suburbs where rents are much lower than in the CBD.
A city is defined as an urban settlement that has been legally incorporated into an independent, self-governing unit. In the US, a city surrounded by suburbs is sometimes called a central city. An urbanized area consists of a central city plus its contiguous built up suburbs 70% of the US population live in urbanized areas To account for a central cities zone of influence we look at the metropolitan statistical area Urbanized area with at least 50,000 people, county the central city is located and all adjacent counties with high population density and large % of people working in city. Definition of Urban Settlements
“Daily Urban Systems” Fig : The Commerce Department divided the U.S. into “daily urban systems” with functional ties, especially commuting to the nearest metropolitan area.
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Concentration of business, shopping, and entertainment found outside the traditional urban area Perimeter Center and Cumberland are two of Atlanta’s edge cities. Edge City
Perimeter Center World Headquarters for: UPS AT&T Mobility Cox Enterprises Haverty’s Newell Rubbermaid Wendys/Arbys Group Also located in Perimeter Center: 2 Marta stations connecting the edge city to the urban center (Atlanta) Pill Hill Cluster of hospitals and doctors offices
Cumberland Businesses Major hub for business, retail and conventions Atlanta’s 5 th largest commercial office district Headquarters of Home Depot, The Weather Channel, and Stevi B’s Other Features Located at the junction of I-75 and I-285 The “Cobb Cloverleaf” Newly renovated mall Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Complex street patterns - prior to automobile, weird angles Plazas and Squares - from Greek, Roman, Medieval High density and compact form - wall around city or low-growth zoning Low skylines - many built before elevators, others required cathedral or monument to be highest structure Lively downtowns - center of social life, not just office work Neighborhood stability - Europeans moved less frequently than we do. Scars of War - many wars, many cities originally defensive Symbolism - gothic cathedrals, palaces, and castles Municipal Socialism - many residents live in buildings that are owned by city gov’t. Some of these are massive housing projects, others small scale apartment buildings. European Cities: result of very long histories