G.1.1 Characteristics of Urban Places Notes

Urban Form and Function Across Different Scales

Site: The Foundation of Urban Form

1. These features often determine the city's initial growth and continue to shape its expansion.

Key Natural Features

1. Rivers: Cities like London and Cairo developed along rivers, providing water for drinking, agriculture, as well as transportation and trade.
2. Topography: Double-edged sword balancing between connectivity and safety.
   1. Plains and lowlands: Flat terrain facilitates building urban infrastructure and engaging in trade, but makes it more difficult to defend a city like Warsaw.
   2. Hills and mountains: Elevated areas offer natural defense and strategic advantages. Rome, for example, was built on seven hills, as well as variety of cities in Latin America like Mexico City, Bogotá or La Paz were built in the mountains.
3. Timber: Availability of local construction materials and traditional fuel fostered early urbanization, e.g. across Europe.
4. Coast: Coastal cities such as New York and Singapore thrive due to access to maritime trade.
5. Climate: Favorable climates attract settlers, while harsh conditions may limit growth. Ancient cities mostly developed in areas offering moderate climatic conditions in the Fertile Crescent, in the Mediterranean and in most favorable areas in contemporary India and China.

Situation: Relationship With Surrounding Areas

1. Economic Connections: The proximity to major transportation routes, trade networks, and other economic hubs that affect commerce and accessibility.
2. Cultural and Political Influences: The geographical relationship to neighboring cities, regions, or countries that can impact social and political dynamics.
3. Environmental Context: The surrounding natural features, such as rivers, mountains, or climate, that influence the urban area's development and functions.

Function: The Roles Cities Play

1. Cities serve multiple functions, which often evolve over time.
2. These functions shape land use and influence how different areas of a city are organized.

Key Urban Functions

1. Residential: Housing for the population, ranging from high-density apartments to suburban homes.
2. Commercial and for Services: Business districts, retail, shopping centers and markets.
3. Industrial: Factories, warehouses, and manufacturing zones.
4. Recreational: Parks, sports facilities, and entertainment venues.
5. Administrative: Government buildings, courts, and public services.
6. Transportation: Roads, train and tram tracks and stations, bus terminals airports.

Land Use: Organizing Urban Space

1. Urban areas are typically divided into zones based on their primary function.
2. This segregation of activities helps cities operate efficiently but can also lead to challenges such as inequality and congestion.

Key Land Use Zones

1. Residential Zones: Vary from high-density inner-city apartments to low-density suburban housing.
2. Central Business District (CBD): The commercial and economic core, characterized by high land values and skyscrapers.
3. Industrial Areas: Often located on the outskirts or near transportation hubs.
4. Green Spaces: Parks and recreational areas that enhance urban livability.

Hierarchy of Settlements: From Hamlets to Megacities

1. Settlements exist in a hierarchy based on size, population, and function.
2. Understanding this hierarchy helps explain how urban areas are interconnected.

The Settlement Hierarchy

1. Hamlets: Small clusters of homes with basic services.