Chapter 7: Urbanization By Melanie Flores and Marissa Heath

Five Hearths Mesopotamia Nile River Valley Indus River Valley Huang He & Wei River Mesoamerica

Mesopotamia Early cities and urbanization were born in Mesopotamia It was the river valley of the Tigres and Euphrates (Iraq). By current standards, cities covered one-half to two square miles Oldest city in the World: Ur (Southern Iraq)

Urban beginnings Two components enable the formation of cities: agricultural surplus and social stratification. Early people were nomadic hunters and gatherers who constantly moved and practiced domestication of plants and animals.

Technical: - The hydraulic civilization model - Higher crop yields resulted - Food surplus supported development of a large non- farming population Religious: - Priestly class exercised political and social control that held the city together - In this scenario, cities are religious spaces functioning as ceremonial centers

Cities Cities would create an establish religious mounds and walls Cities would start to divide Religion and Business. In ancient Greece was acropolis (Religion) & agora (Market).

Rome and Greece As cities expanded, urbanization spread: -Established military and trading outposts -supply centers for the expanding empire -communication/service centers for trade or the military -connected by about 53,000 miles of roads, which were built & maintained by Rome

Continuation The Romans used: -Grid street pattern -The Forum (combination of the Greek Acropolis and Agora) -City elite were clustered around the forum -Normal citizens lived in shoddy apartments, 4/5 stories high -Some Roman cities survived, and still exist today

Urban Hierarchy Hamlet (just 8 homes!) Hamlet (just 8 homes!) Village Village Town Town Specialized Cities Specialized Cities Mega-Cities Mega-Cities – World City London, Tokyo, NYC London, Tokyo, NYC

Mega Cities Cities more focused on the developing world Have large populations, and high migration since World War II Have chaotic and unplanned growth with terrible pollution and widespread poverty

Sector Model Founded by Homer Hoyt Has a central business district with spokes Expands with infrastructure Similar to the Burgess model The modification of the concentric zone model of city development.

Multiple Nuclei Model Lacks a strong Central Business District Central Business District is losing grasp on the city Areas without incompatible land are not close together (housing & heavy industry) Areas without incompatible land are not close together (housing & heavy industry)

Rules to know: Rank size rule Notes the relationship between the ranks of cities and their populations. Ex: Top Cities in Canada 1) Toronto 5,741,400 2) Montreal 3,859,300 3) Vancouver 2,391,300 4) Calgary 1,242,600 5) Ottawa 1,239,100 Primate city rule A country's leading city is always disproportionately large and exceptionally expressive of national capacity and feeling. The primate city is commonly at least twice as large as the next largest city and more than twice as significant. Ex: 1)London- 9,000,000 2)Birmingham- 2,000,000

Types of cities Specialized cities- One to two industries or services dominate = “Functional Specialization” Ex: Old-time Chicago (beef, wheat, timber…) today Laurent, South Dakota Control centers for major decision-making and economic interests. World cities- Control centers for major decision-making and economic interests.

Types of Urban Sprawl Greenbelt Greenspace Zoning Laws Criticism and consequences

Greenbelt and Greenspace Greenbelt: Area around a city that is restricted from housing in which must remain open space Prevents cities from merging into one another Restricts countryside from overdevelopment Encourages gentrification (housing prices go up though) Greenspace: Designated areas where trees, parks built to prevent more businesses/housing from locating there

Gentrification Middle class moves into inner city & fixes up housing for : – City life – Cities are heterogeneous – Cheaper houses – Unique architecture – Proximity to jobs meaning no commute Attracts mostly single people, gays/lesbians, & DINKS ( Couples with no kids) Examples: Harlem, NYC, Baltimore, DC

Redlining – A discriminatory real estate practice in North America in which members of minority groups are prevented from obtaining money to purchase homes or property in predominantly white neighborhoods. – derived its name from the red lines depicted on cadastral maps used by real estate agents and developers. Banks draw red lines on maps around areas they refuse to lend $$$ to – Fear: minorities will move into a "nice" neighborhood  property values will go down – Results in Ghettoization

Blockbusting Offering an African-American a house in a white neighborhood at low price The practice of Offering an African-American a house in a white neighborhood at low price White owners told their neighborhood was about to "tip" – become minority-dominated White owners told their neighborhood was about to "tip" – become minority-dominated Agent represents sellers Agent represents sellers Result = “White-flight” to the suburbs Result = “White-flight” to the suburbs White flight - White flight - the movement of white city- dwellers to the suburbs to escape the influx of minorities.

Racial Steering Steering prospective homebuyers to neighborhoods because of similar ethnicities Done covertly justified by showing people houses in particular school districts Has “good” intentions End in Segregation

Squatter settlements A squatter settlement is defined as a residential area which has developed without legal claims to the land and/or permission from the concerned authorities to build. Favelas- a Brazilian shack or shanty town; a slum. Low-income communities Barrios- the Spanish-speaking quarter of a town or city, especially one with a high poverty level. Any Urban area neighborhood whose geographical limits are determined locally