1. Where People Congregate

2. Urbanization Raid growth of urban areas Urbanization rate – 1980s = 50% – 1990s = 70% Still several countries with low degree of urbanization (e.g., Yemen, Egypt)

3. Urbanization Sources of urban population growth are Natural increase: birth rate > death rate Rural-urban migration Urban-urban migration Emigration

4. Urbanization 4 mega cities: over 10 million 22 big cities: over 1 million 190 large cities: over 100,000 and 500,00

5. Elements of Traditional Urban Core Mono-centric pattern of urban development: A large mosque for Friday pray Educational facilities associated with the mosque Main water supply facilities: drinking fountains & public restrooms and baths

6. Elements of Traditional Urban Core Public administration organizations: courts & government offices Citadel Central business district Foreign diplomatic headquarters Residential areas

7. Central Business District suq (in Arabic), bazaar (in Persian), carsi (in Turkish) Covered shopping malls with rows of small shops Inns and restaurants to accommodate customers Specializing in trade: textile, jewelry, copper and brass wares, leather goods, food items and spices Banking, custom, and foreign exchange shops

8. Residential Areas Quarters or neighborhoods divided along the lines of Ethnicity: Arabs, Persians, Turks, Turkmen Religion: Jewish, Christian, Muslim Muslim: Sunni, Shii, Druze Nationality: Armenian, Syrian, Egyptian

9. Religious Urbanization Saudi Arabia: Mecca & Medina Israel: Jerusalem & Bethlehem Syria: Damascus Iran: Mashhad, Qom Iraq: Najaf, Karbala Turkey: Istanbul, Konya

10. Housing Structure Building to the edge of the property line Open court yard Male, female & family rooms Living & guest rooms Flat roof for sleeping outdoors

11. Modern Urbanization Pattern British influence Multi-centric pattern: local business districts and suburban residential areas Large shopping malls Government buildings and foreign embassies

12. Urban Problems Overpopulation Housing shortage Urban congestion and traffic jams Air pollution and water contamination Inadequate infrastructure: water & electricity supply