geo april exam
Decentralizing technologies greatly impact the development of North American cities in comparison to European cities. Explain.
Decentralizing technologies were used in North American cities to allow people to spread out
Public transportation
First decentralizing technology that allowed people to spread out, rich people could afford it so they lived further out, then trains became more affordable and the rich switched to cars
Post WWII
Cars advanced and became more affordable, allowed people to continue spreading out
Compared to Europe
Cars and houses cost more in Europe, and European cities were built before decentralizing technologies.
Before decentralizing technology, rich people lived in the center so they didn’t have to walk, after, they lived on the edge because they could afford to commute
Winnipeg is both a heartland and a hinterland. Explain.
A heartland is a central region that is politically, economically, socially, and militarily vital to the nation
Densely populated, depends on hinterland resources, most power.
A hinterland is an area around a town or city that supplies the heartland with resources to sustain a nation.
Sparsely populated, resource based economy, little power.
Winnipeg is a heartland within manitoba.
Province’s largest politically, economically, socially vital city, connects the province to the rest of Canada.
Winnipeg is a hinterland to larger economic centers in canada, such as toronto and vancouver
Supplies agricultural products and resources from the prairies to other big cities
How do cities make us sick?
Obesity
You can’t walk anywhere because it’s too far apart, obesity rates increase
Environment
Car dependency and lack of green spaces cause pollution and harm environment, bad air quality
Danger
Urban sprawl causes traffic and pedestrian fatalities
Isolation
Urban sprawl and car dependency make you spend lots of time in a car, increase in single family homes rather than multi-use buildings
Why is Singapore a city of the Future?
One of the most successful public housing programs in the world
Have many innovative programs to increase quality of life and remain one of the most livable cities in Asia
Exploring air rights
Drone technology advancing rapidly, interest in over-road structures (roof tops, etc)
Agriculture
Growing food with controlled indoor farms/greenhouses, vertical farming to increase production
Water
Rain collected in reservoirs, seawater desalination with reverse osmosis filters
How did Curitiba revolutionize its city design for a greener and more connected future.
Public transportation
Built the city and housing along the public transportation system
Pedestrian-friendly
Connected network of bike lanes and wide sidewalks designed specifically for pedestrians, reducing car dependency and increasing safety for walkers and bikers
Reduced urban sprawl
Mixed-used urban developments along the public transportation system keeps everything close together and discourages urban sprawl
Sustainability
Reduces pollution and increases energy efficiency with strong public transit, along with focus on green spaces and eco-friendly designs
Identify and explain characteristics of green cities.
A green city is an urban area that prioritizes the environment
Compact city, housing, shops, etc within reach of each other
Safe and accessible walking/biking paths
Cheap, efficient, clean transit
Renewable energy
Protection and increase of green space
Implementation of recycling programs
Social programs to provide equity
In your own words, explain New Urbanism
New urbanism describes north american cities with european ideas.
10 principles combine to increase quality of life
Reduce the effects of North American city designs making us sick
Aim to reduce urban sprawl and decentralizing
More community oriented than typical NA cities
Prioritize sustainability and protecting environment
Focus on mixed-use buildings, less single-family homes
Example is Celebration, Florida
How has urban sprawl impacted our environment
Urban sprawl is the spreading of a city and its suburbs over rural land at the fringe of an urban area.
Residents tend to live in a single family home and commute to work by car.
Loss of green space/nature
Natural areas like farmland and forests are destroyed to create new urban developments
Pollution
Car dependency and industries increase pollution, along with loss of green space
Energy usage
Urban sprawl causes more energy usage because of commuting and single-family homes, along with heat island effect and greenhouse gas production raising demand for air conditioning, using more energy.