Growing Cities Geography Mr. Schmitt

Urbanization  Urbanization refers to a process in which an increasing proportion of an entire population lives in cities and the suburbs of cities. Historically, it has been closely connected with industrialization. When more and more inanimate sources of energy were used to enhance human productivity (industrialization), surpluses increased in both agriculture and industry. Larger and larger proportions of a population could live in cities. Economic forces were such that cities became the ideal places to locate factories and their workers.

Population Distribution between Cities and Suburbs

Suburbanization  The development of areas of housing outside the political boundaries of cities.  This process increased dramatically after WWII.  Increases in highways and the availability of transportation and land led to suburbs.

Examples of Suburbanization This picture illustrates a suburb. Characterized by similar houses, this is a typical American suburb located outside of the city center.

Factors that lead to Suburbanization  Suburbanization can be linked to a number of different push and pull factors. Push factors include the congestion and population density of the cities, pollution caused by industry and high levels of traffic and a general perception of a lower quality of life in inner city areas. Pull factors include more open spaces and a perception of being closer to "nature", lower suburban house prices and property taxes in comparison to the city, and the increasing number of job opportunities in the suburban areas.

Factors of Suburbanization Continued…  Improvements in transportation infrastructure encourage suburbanization, as people become increasingly able to live in a suburb and commute in to the nearby town or city to work. Developments in railways, bus routes and roads are the main improvements that make suburbanization more practical. The increase in the number and size of highways is a particularly significant part of this effect.

Industrialization effects on Cities and Suburbs

Effects of Industrialization  Positive effects- able to produce products in a fast and sufficient way cheaper products introduction of interchangeable parts Life expectancy increased education and participation in government available to more people Negative effects- little sanitation poor working conditions-- average working hours 6 days a week, no health care, no sick leave, injuries common slums-- decent houses not affordable fortunately these were only the immediate effects, as things went on unions were created to protect the workers, sanitation became a higher priority, and a minimum wage was created so people could afford living better lives (I say better, not best). Side effects of Industrialized countries vs those that weren't, the Industrialized ones became powerful, and those that weren't industrialized became dependanthouses   Read more: 4yEd 4yEd

Immigrations in US Cities  Immigration can be defined as the movement of non-native people into a country in order to settle there  Many cities in the US have had an increase in immigration over the last several years.  The majority of immigrants are coming from Central and South America, as well as many parts of Asia.

Effects of Immigration on cities  More than 1.2 million legal and illegal immigrants combined now settle in the United States each year.  The number of immigrants living in the United States has more than tripled since 1970, from 9.6 million to 28.4 million. As a percentage of the U.S. population, immigrants have more than doubled, from 4.7 percent in 1970 to 10.4 percent in  The poverty rate for immigrants is 50 percent higher than that of natives, with immigrants and their U.S.-born children (under age 21) accounting for 22 percent of all persons living in poverty.

Assignment  In groups of two, students will be assigned a US city. They will have to navigate the internet to find facts about its population. Each member of the group will have to complete the worksheet and turn it in. The group will also briefly report their findings to the class in a 2-3 minute presentation. The worksheet will provide you with the information you will be seeking.  It is critical that students evaluate the websites they use accurately. Every site used should be sited and please provide a brief overview of the author and reliability of your site. Just a few sentences on who the author is, why you chose it, are there any biases within it, and if so what are they. I suggest students focus on.edu,.org, or.gov sites since they are for non-commercial use.

Groups  Detroit-Group A  Pittsburg-Group B  Fresno- Group C  Cleveland-Group D  San Diego-Group E  Phoenix- Group F  St. Louis- Group G  New Orleans- Group H  Austin- Group I  Charlotte- Group J  Chicago- Group K  Atlanta- Group L  El Paso- Group M

Go to the Computer Lab  The rest of the period will be devoted to research.  Each member of the team must complete the worksheet and turn it in after the presentation.  Presentations will be tomorrow and should only last 2-3 minutes.  The first minutes of class will be devoted to prepare for presentations.  Students should take notes during presentations, information covered by classmates could be on test.