Definitions and building blocks of cities Chicago History class

Bell-ringer  In your notebook, write down how YOU would define a city

Now, here’s what the dictionaries say a city is:  A large or important town (sometimes based on population)  Incorporated municipality, usually governed by a mayor and a board of aldermen or councilmen

10 Defining Characteristics of Cities 1) central places that attract people (like magnets) 1) central places that attract people (like magnets) 2) appeal to people with different backgrounds and interests 2) appeal to people with different backgrounds and interests 3) provide some unifying forces (laws, traditions, sports teams, etc.) 3) provide some unifying forces (laws, traditions, sports teams, etc.)

More defining characteristics 4) places of exchange (products, materials, services, ideas) 4) places of exchange (products, materials, services, ideas) 5) places of storage & supply 5) places of storage & supply 6) engines of change 6) engines of change

Here are some more… 7) places of the past and the future 7) places of the past and the future 8) have an influence on people and places beyond their borders 8) have an influence on people and places beyond their borders 9) connect to other cities 9) connect to other cities

And last but not least… PARADOX: problems and promise PARADOX: problems and promise

Building BlockExplanationHow It Applies to Chicago 14 Building Blocks of Cities Start on a new notebook page Divide your paper into 3 columns as you see below We will fill in the first 2 columns today—you will finish the 3 rd column for homework

#1 Building block: PEOPLE Building block: PEOPLE Explanation: Draws diverse people from all over the world Explanation: Draws diverse people from all over the world

#2 Building block: LOCATION Building block: LOCATION Explanation: Along major waterways; centrally located Explanation: Along major waterways; centrally located

#3 BBBBuilding block: REGION EEEExplanation: Focal point of a larger area that is connected to the city

#4 Building block: DOWNTOWN Explanation: Political, economic and cultural heart of the city; often where the city began

#5 BBBBuilding block: TRANSPORTATION EEEExplanation: Many ways to get around the city because of its size

#6 Building block: INFRASTRUCTURE Building block: INFRASTRUCTURE Explanation: Technical, internal things that make the city work efficiently (water supply, waste management, power and phone lines, etc.) Explanation: Technical, internal things that make the city work efficiently (water supply, waste management, power and phone lines, etc.)

#7 Building block: POLITICS Building block: POLITICS Explanation: Often a mayor and other elected officials Explanation: Often a mayor and other elected officials

#8  Building block: ECONOMY  Explanation: Many types of businesses, both small and world-famous, contribute to the city’s economy

#9 Building block: NEIGHBORHOODSBuilding block: NEIGHBORHOODS Explanation: Distinct areas of the city that have their own unique characteristicsExplanation: Distinct areas of the city that have their own unique characteristics

#10 Building block: PLANNING Explanation: Thought is put into laying out streets, parks, public places, future growth

#11 Building block: DIVERSITY Explanation: Cities are large—diversity is present in many ways (people, food, things to do)

#12 Building block: PROBLEMS Explanation: Problems arise from typical characteristics of big cities

#13 BBBBuilding block: SUBURBS EEEExplanation: Cities have ties to neighboring communities, sometimes good/bad

#14 Building block: GLOBAL CONNECTIONS Explanation: Cities are known worldwide; have connections to other places through travel, sports, art, music, famous people, etc.

HOMEWORK  In your notebook, complete the “How it applies to Chicago” column of the chart