The Urban World

Overview
o Population and Urbanization
• Characteristics of Urban Population
• Urbanization Trends
o City as an Ecosystem
• Environmental Problems in Urban Areas
• Environmental Benefits of Urbanization
o Urban Land Use Planning
• Transportation and Urban Development
• Suburban Sprawl
o Making Cities More Sustainable
 Population and Urbanization
o Urbanization
• Process in which people increasingly move from rural
areas to densely population cities
o Jobs define urban vs. rural, not populations
• Rural area occupations involve harvesting natural
resources
• Urban area occupations involve jobs not connected
with natural resources
o People are moving to cities due to decrease in
employment opportunities in rural areas
 Characteristics of Urban Population

o Basic characteristics of city populations:

• Diverse population in terms of race, ethnicity, religion
and socioeconomic status
• Younger population than local rural area
• More males in
developing nation cities
• More females in
developed nation cities
 Urbanization Trends
o Urbanization is increasing rapidly
• Especially in developing countries
o World’s 10 largest cities are Tokyo, Delhi,
Shanghai, Mumbai, Sao Paulo, Beijing Mexico,
Osaka, Cairo, New York
 The Top Skylines in the World

Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong has a whopping 43 buildings over 200 metres tall, 30 of which
were built in the year 2000 or later. It also boasts four of the 15 tallest buildings
in the world. Hong Kong’s skyline shows a large selection of distinct sky-
reaching towers.

Metro/Urban Population: 6.9 million

 The Top Skylines in the World

Chicago, Illinois
When Chicago built its first steel high-rise in 1885, it was not the tallest
structure in the world but the first example of a new form of engineering that
would change nearly every city on earth. Chicago has 19 buildings over 200 metres
tall (three of which are among the top 20 tallest buildings in the world, including
the tallest in North America).

Metro/Urban Population: 9.5 million

The Top Skylines in the World

Shanghai, China

China's biggest and most advanced city, Shanghai was said to be the most
cosmopolitan city in the beginning of the 20th century, but lost its glory during
the “Mao era”. It is now quickly regaining its position as one of the biggest
economic powerhouses in the world as well as a showcase of modern
architecture. In Shanghai you’ll find 25 structures that are over 200 metres tall,
one of which is the insanely tall, the 468m downtown Oriental Pearl TV
Tower.

Metro/Urban Population: 13.1 million

 The Top Skylines in the World

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Already home of the world's tallest all-hotel building and the tallest all-
residential building in the world, AND currently proposed to build the world's
tallest building. All seven structures in this city at over 200 metres tall were
built in 1999 or later - that's how new this city is.

Metro/Urban Population: 1.6 million

 Palm Islands,

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Burj, Dubai
World’s Tallest Human Structure
 Urbanization Trends
o Urban Agglomeration
• Urbanized core region that consists of several adjunct
cities or megacities and their surrounding developed
suburbs

United States Urban

Agglomerations
(Population of 50,000 or
above)
 Substandard Housing
o Typically occupied by
squatters
• Illegally occupy unsafe
housing
o No city services
• Water, sewage, garbage
collection, police and
fire protection

o 1/3 of urban population in developing countries are squatters

o Homelessness is present in lower numbers in developed
countries
 Land Use- Park
City, Utah

Undeveloped Open Space

Full Satellite View of City

 Environmental Problems in Urban Areas
o Growing urban areas affect land use patterns
• Fragment wildlife
• Encroach wetlands, forests, desert, etc.
o Brownfields
• Urban areas of abandoned industrial or residential sites
that may be contaminated from past use
o Impermeable surfaces and urban runoff
discharged into waterways
• Motor oil, lawn fertilizers, heavy metals
 Environmental Problems in Urban Areas
o Long commutes
• Traffic congested streets
• Buildup of airborne emissions due to cars and industry
o Noise pollution
o Urban heat island
• Local heat buildup in an area of high population
density
• Affect local air currents and weather conditions
• Contribute to buildup of pollutants- dust domes
 Urban Heat Island

Temperature variations on a summer afternoon

 Environmental Benefits of Urbanization

o Well-planned city can benefit the environment

• Reduces pollution
• Preserves rural areas
o Compact Development
• Design of cities where residential buildings are close
to shopping, jobs and public transportation
• Ex: Portland, Oregon
 Urban Land Use Planning
o Land use based on economic concerns
o From center of city outwards:
• City center- Central Business District (highest taxes)
• Residential properties (lower taxes than city center)
• Land intensive businesses (even lower taxes)
• Suburbs (lowest taxes)
o Parks and green space are interspersed
 Urban Land Use Planning
o Land Use Planning
• Process of deciding the best use for undeveloped land
in a given area
o Influenced by political and economic factors
o Regulated through zoning
• Cities divided into use zones
• Commercial
• Residential
• Industrial
• Property owners must meet zoning ordinances
 Transportation and Urban Development
o Transportation
availability affects
city’s spatial
structure
o Ex: An east coast
US city
• (a) 1700-1850
• (b) 1850-1910
• (c) 20th century
 Suburban Sprawl
o Suburban Sprawl
• Patchwork of vacant and developed tracts around the
edges of cities
o Problems
• Loss of wetlands
• Air pollution
• Water pollution
• Loss of biological
habitat
o 11 states now have
new growth management laws (Smart Growth)
 Making Cities More Sustainable
o Characteristics of a sustainable city
• Clear, cohesive urban growth policies
• Efficient use of energy and other resources
• Reduction of pollution and waste
• Reuse and recycle materials in waste stream
• Large areas of green space
• Designed to be people-centers, not car-centered
• Food grown IN the city (rooftop gardens)
• Compact development