Introduction to

Urban Geography

SEd SS 314 (Urban Geography)

 Course Description
This course focuses on the social, economic, and
environmental factors that influence urban landscapes as it
examines the spatial organization and dynamics of cities.
Students will acquire an understanding of the complex
interactions within urban areas and the challenges and
opportunities they present through readings, discussions, and
research.
 Course Objectives

• Understand the key concepts and theories in urban geography.

• Analyze the processes of urbanization and urban development.
• Examine the social, economic, and environmental challenges
facing cities.
• Critically evaluate urban planning and policy issues.
Define Urban Geography
Urban geography is the study of cities.
Geographers examine the factors that lead to the
location and relative size of cities, and also the complex
processes that shape the nature of individual urban
areas.
It is the study of urban areas in terms of concentration,
infrastructure, economy and environmental impacts
Introduction to Urban Geography
Urban geography is the study of the development
of cities and towns and the people in them.
In other words, why cities were built, how they are connected,
and how they have changed and will continue to change.
The urban spaces we live in require coordination, study, and
input from dozens of entities and possibly hundreds of
residents.
Why? As places experience urbanization, cities must plan
and project how people will live and transport themselves,
taking in information and help from many sources.
Introduction to Urban Geography
Therefore, people's urban life and relationship with the
built environment are essential to understand.
A relationship between people and the built environment
may sound strange, but all of us interact with the space
we live in.
If you've ever walked down a street or taken a left turn in
your car, believe it or not, you've interacted with the built
environment!
 URBANIZATION

Throughout human history, urbanization is the process of

population concentration in urban areas through the expansion
of cities and towns—has been a prominent phenomena.
Its historical perspectives can be separated into three important
phases because of its significant economic, social, and cultural
effects:
 Approaches to Urban Geography

• Urbanization: Examining the growth and expansion of cities, the

factors driving urbanization, and the resulting demographic
changes.
• Spatial Patterns: Analyzing the distribution of various features
within cities, such as housing, transportation networks,
commercial areas, and industrial zones.
 Approaches to Urban Geography

• Land Use Planning: Investigating how land is allocated for

different purposes within urban areas, including residential,
commercial, industrial, and recreational zones. This involves
studying zoning laws and urban planning policies.
• Urban Morphology: Studying the physical layout and form of
cities, including the arrangement of streets, buildings, and open
spaces. This can include analyses of city grids, architectural styles,
and the evolution of urban form over time.
 Approaches to Urban Geography

• Transportation and Mobility: Exploring the transportation

systems in cities, including public transit, road networks, and their
impact on accessibility and urban development.
• Social and Economic Inequality: Examining disparities in
income, housing, and access to services within cities, and how
these disparities are shaped by urban processes.
• Cultural and Social Dynamics: Investigating the social and
cultural diversity within cities, including how different groups
interact and shape urban culture.
 Approaches to Urban Geography

• Environmental Sustainability: Addressing issues related to

environmental challenges in urban areas, such as pollution, resource
consumption, and efforts to promote sustainability and resilience.
• Gentrification: Analyzing the process of gentrification, in which
higher-income individuals or groups move into previously lower-income
neighborhoods, often leading to changes in the neighborhood's character
and affordability.
• Globalization and Urbanization: Considering the ways in which cities
are connected to global networks, including global trade, immigration,
and cultural exchanges.
• Urban geography uses a variety of research methods, including
fieldwork, surveys, GIS (Geographic Information Systems) analysis,
and remote sensing to gather data and make sense of the complex
interactions that occur within urban areas.

• It is an interdisciplinary field that draws from geography, sociology,

economics, architecture, and urban planning to provide insights into the
challenges and opportunities presented by urbanization.

• Urban geographers contribute to understanding how cities function and

how they can be planned and managed to improve the quality of life for
their residents.
 Historical Perspective

• Historical perspectives on urbanization diverge across time periods

and geographical locations.
• Throughout human history, urbanization, or the process of
population concentration in urban areas, has been a recurring
phenomenon.
• Here are some of the most important historical perspectives on
urbanization:
 Ancient Urbanization
• The earliest known urban centers emerged in ancient
Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China around 3500
BCE.
• These cities, such as Mohenjo-Daro, and Memphis, were often
centered around agriculture and trade.
• Ancient urban areas were characterized by the development of
complex infrastructure, such as irrigation systems, defensive walls,
and temples.
• They served as administrative, religious, and cultural centers.
 Classical Urbanization

• In ancient Greece and Rome, urbanization reached a new level of

sophistication.
• Cities like Athens and Rome became political, cultural, and
intellectual hubs.
• Greek city-states and the Roman Empire created networks of
roads, channels, and public buildings that facilitated urban growth
and connectivity.
 MEDIEVAL URBANIZATION

• The decline of the Roman Empire led to a period of urban decay

and decentralization in Europe.
• Many cities shrank or disappeared during the early Middle Ages.
• However, by the High Middle Ages (10th to 13th centuries),
urbanization started to rebound with the growth of trade, the
establishment of guilds, and the development of cathedral cities.
Renaissance and Early Modern Urbanization

• The Renaissance in Europe saw a resurgence of urban culture,

marked by the revival of learning, art, and architecture in cities
like Florence and Venice.
• The Industrial Revolution, starting in the late 18th century,
accelerated urbanization with the growth of manufacturing and the
migration of people from rural areas to cities like Manchester and
Birmingham in England.
 19th and 20th Century Urbanization

• The 19th century witnessed rapid urbanization in Europe, North

America, and later in Asia and Africa. Cities like London, New
York, and Tokyo expanded dramatically.
• This era saw the development of industrial suburbs, public
transportation systems, and the rise of urban planning as a
response to problems like overcrowding and sanitation.
 Contemporary Urbanization

• Inthe 20th and 21st centuries, urbanization continued at an

unprecedented rate. Megacities like Mumbai, Mexico City, and
Shanghai emerged as global economic powerhouses.
• Contemporary urbanization has been associated with challenges
such as housing shortages, traffic congestion, pollution, and social
inequality.
Urbanization in Developing Nations

• Urbanization is still taking place in many emerging nations, with

rural-to-urban migration driving city population increase.
• These regions frequently have slums and unofficial communities,
which presents special difficulties for urban development.
 Sustainable Urbanization

• In response to environmental concerns and the need for sustainable

development, there has been a growing emphasis on green and
smart cities, with a particular emphasis on efficient infrastructure,
renewable energy, and reduced carbon emissions.
 Summary

• Historical perspectives on urbanization illustrate its progression

from ancient settlements to today's complex urban environments,
reflecting changes in technology, the economy, culture, and
society.
• Urbanization will continue to influence our future as a central
aspect of human development.
 Key concepts and theories

• Urban geography is a dynamic field that encompasses various key

concepts and theories to help explain the complex processes and
patterns that occur in urban areas.

• Here are some of the fundamental concepts and theories in urban

geography:
 Key concepts and theories

• Central Place Theory: Developed by Walter Christaller, this

theory explains how urban centers are spatially distributed and
interact with one another.
• It suggests that urban centers serve as central places that provide
goods and services to surrounding areas, with larger cities offering
more specialized and higher-order services.
 Key concepts and theories

• Urban Hierarchy: This concept builds on central place theory and

proposes that cities are organized into a hierarchical structure based on
the range and complexity of services they offer.
• Larger cities serve larger areas and provide more diverse services,
while smaller cities serve more localized needs.
 Key concepts and theories

• Urbanization: Urbanization is the process by which an increasing

proportion of a population moves from rural to urban areas.
• It involves changes in settlement patterns, demographics, and
economic activities, leading to the growth and expansion of cities.
 Key concepts and theories

• Urban Form and Morphology: This concept explores the

physical layout and structure of cities.
• Urban form refers to the spatial arrangement of buildings, streets,
and open spaces, while urban morphology investigates the
historical development and evolution of cities' physical
characteristics.
 Key concepts and theories

• Land Use Zoning: Zoning refers to the allocation of land for

specific purposes within a city, such as residential, commercial,
industrial, or recreational zones.
• Urban planners and policymakers use zoning to regulate land use
and control urban development.
 Key concepts and theories

• Urban Sprawl: Urban sprawl refers to the uncontrolled

expansion of urban areas into adjacent rural or undeveloped land.
• It is characterized by low-density development, dependence on
automobiles, and a fragmented urban landscape.
 Key concepts and theories

• Gentrification: Gentrification is the process by which higher-

income individuals or groups move into previously lower-income
neighborhoods, often leading to changes in the neighborhood's
character, higher property values, and the displacement of long-
time residents.
 Key concepts and theories

• Segregation: Segregation in urban geography refers to the spatial

separation of different social, racial, or ethnic groups within a city.
• It can result from historical patterns of discrimination, economic
disparities, or housing policies.
 Key concepts and theories

• Urbanization of Poverty: This concept recognizes that poverty is

not limited to rural areas but is also a significant issue in urban
settings.
• It highlights the challenges faced by low-income populations in
accessing housing, education, healthcare, and employment
opportunities in cities.
 Key concepts and theories

• Globalization and World Cities: Globalization theory examines

how cities become integrated into global networks of trade,
finance, culture, and information exchange.
• World cities, such as New York, London, and Tokyo, play key
roles in facilitating global flows and are centers of economic and
cultural influence.
 Key concepts and theories

• Sustainable Urban Development: This concept emphasizes the

need for cities to balance economic growth, environmental
sustainability, and social equity.
• It involves planning and policy measures to reduce environmental
impact, promote public transportation, and enhance the overall
quality of urban life.
 Key concepts and theories

• Urban Resilience: Urban resilience focuses on a city's ability to

withstand and recover from shocks and stresses, including natural
disasters, economic crises, and social challenges.
• Resilient cities are better equipped to adapt to changing
circumstances and maintain essential functions.
• These concepts and theories provide a framework for
comprehending the complexities of urban geography and how cities
evolve, function, and influence the lives of their inhabitants.
• Researchers and urban planners utilize these instruments to analyze
urban systems and develop strategies to address urban challenges
and promote sustainable urban development.