APHG
Unit 7
Urban settlements from Around the World
Copeland
I. European cities-much older (Rome, Athens, Paris, Rome, London); established as ecclesiastical or university centers, have defensive strongholds, act as administrative centers; zoning laws determine how land and buildings can be used (residential, commercial and industrial); streets are set up in dendritic patterns (designed for foot traffic); many cities established in Europe due to expansion of Industrial Revolution; wealthy live in CBDs; many city parks; greenbelts (rural areas set aside to prevent development) are prevalent in the United Kingdom and are used to prevent in-filling. World War II was a factor in determining recent development in European cities (new buildings next to older buildings)
II. Latin American cities-urban growth rates rapidly increasing (Mexico City), farmers moving to city for work (unproductive); cities have a spine of high income (gated communities) extending from CBD; squatter settlements (areas of extreme poverty) are located on edge of city, squatter settlements are referred to as favelas in Brazil and barriadas in other states, these are crime-ridden areas.
Latin American City Model as developed by Dr. Larry Ford (city is laid out like hub and spoke of a bicycle wheel)
Mexico City Problems:
III. Asian cities- newer cities with great infrastructure; located on coasts; built for trade; expanding middle class due to increase in foreign investment (U.S. and Europe); Seoul, Hong Kong and Singapore are considered entrepots (re-export goods); have office park agglomerations and high tech corridors; have many shopping malls similar to those found in U.S.; megacities (Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, Shanghai, Delhi, Mumbai, Manila) have populations greater than 10 million.
Southeast Asian city model developed by Terry McGee (see how everything extends from port)
IV. Islamic cities-located in Middle East, North Africa and Indonesia (Cairo, Tehran, Dubai, Istanbul); twisted streets for shade; space for common gatherings; city is laid out based on Islamic principles found in the Koran (most important aspect is the mosque, located in center of the city), primary mosques are referred to as a jani; traditional part of city is usually walled; windows are generally small; buildings are connected, but it is built for privacy of residents; bazaar (street market)is found in the city.
V. Sub-Saharan African cities-fastest-growing urban areas of the world, economic conditions like what is found in Latin America create overcrowding in cities; unemployment as high as 30-40% in many sub-Saharan African cities; have three CBDs(colonial, traditional and market/bazaar); exceptions to all of the above characteristics are found in South Africa (more modern like U.S. or Asian)