Urban Geography Spatial development of towns/citiesSpatial development of towns/cities Variations between citiesVariations between cities Variations within citiesVariations within cities
Urbanism Way of lifeWay of life Attitudes/valuesAttitudes/values Patterns of behaviorPatterns of behavior
Cities as engine of growth Mobilizing functions Decision-making functions Generative functions Transformative functions
Urban system Interdependent set of cities in a region Urbanization generated by elites Tribute/taxes flow into elite, developing center
xxxxxx Ancient cities Erbil, northern Iraq
Ancient Greece, 750 to 490 BCE Independent city-states, laid out on axis with central square
The Roman Empire “All roads lead to Rome” (1 million in AD 100)
Trajan’s Forum, Rome
The Coliseum, Rome
Roman Theater, Rome Theaters Throughout the Roman Empire, 200 CE
Classical Architecture from the Greeks and Romans Arches and columns
The Medieval City in Europe (450 to 1300) Dark Ages breakdown in order; Medieval Age centered on Catholic Church; Defensive structures, walls; Cities not growing
Medieval Castles in France Feudalism as Economic model Lords and peasants (serfs)
Gothic Architecture
Cologne Cathedral, Germany Church and Architecture
Notre Dame de Paris
Narrow, Twisty Medieval Streets Vienna, Austria
Other European city characteristics Plazas High density Low skyline Lively downtown Neighborhood stability Symbolism Good municipal services
Trade City Merchant capitalism emerges 1400s-1500s; Gradually replaces feudalism Mediterranean Sea ports Baltic/North Sea ports (Hanseatic League)
Venice canals
The Renaissance and Baroque Periods (1500 to 1800) Baroque Amsterdam
Boulevards and “Third Places”
Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna. Austria
Winter palace, St. Petersburg, Russia
Versailles, France
Buckingham Palace, London
Big Ben, London
Westminster Abbey, London
Parliament Houses of Parliament, London
London Tower
Arc de Triomphe, Paris
Rediscovery of Classical Greco- Roman model
Paris
Industrial Revolution: Steam engine Steel Loom Industrial capitalist City (1800 on)
Colonial City Established as colonial commercial or administrative center Associated with particular resource (coffee, gold, cacao, etc.) Often a port
Colonial City Fort European Town Native town
Modernism Industrialization Automobiles “Geography of Nowhere”
World Urban Dwellers
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Urban percentage of population
Urban growth rates 4/5 growth in Periphery (esp. in wars); 50% under poverty line
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Top 30 cities that are Core
Primate cities Primary, largest city (usually capital) much larger than others in country London, Paris, Mexico City, Cairo
Gateway City Link (door) to another country or region because of location Hong Kong (China-world) Buffalo (U.S.-Canada)
World cities Disproportionate share of global cultural influence “Where world’s business is done” Imperial capitals became corporate centers
World cities 3 centers in Tripolar Economy: New York, London, Tokyo
Urban Morphology in the U.S. 1. Walking City 2. Electric Streetcar Era 3. Early Automobile Era 4. Freeway Era
Stages of intraurban growth
The Walking City (until 1880s)
Electric Streetcar Era ( ) Arteries, early suburbs
Early Automobile Era ( ) Partition, expansion
Freeway Era (1945 on) Cold War origins; suburbanization
Suburbs building into natural areas, and paying the consequences
Central Place Theory Explaining the relative size /function of urban centers as a function of economic behavior Range: Maximum distance buyer will travel Threshold: Minimum market size
xxxxxx Central Place Theory in Spain
Rank-Size Rule (U.S.) 2nd largest city 1/2 size of 1st 3rd largest city 1/3 size of 1st…..etc. etc. Philadelphia ranked 5th, 1/5th of NY Regional centers –Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, etc.
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Shock City Rapid economic and socio-cultural changes, population growth
Urban growth: Metro areas
Hinterland Area within economic “orbit” of a major regional center Economic flows toward big city; –Cultural influence from big city NW Wisconsin hinterland of Twin Cities Southern Wisconsin hinterland of Chicago
Southeastern Wisconsin
Bird’s-Eye View of Neenah-Menasha
Fox Valley, Wisconsin Hydropower Farming Timber Paper Port of Green Bay