All Flashcards
What is the significance of city size?
Impacts economic, political, and cultural power; larger cities are centers of innovation and economic growth.
Explain the concept of urban hierarchy.
Cities are organized into a hierarchy based on size and importance, influencing their functions and impact.
What makes a city a 'world city'?
Major player in the global economy, connected to a network of other global cities, center of innovation and creativity.
What are the key characteristics of a megalopolis?
Large urban region formed by merging of multiple cities, population over 10 million, strong regional influence.
How does globalization influence cities?
Increases connectivity, economic activity, and cultural exchange, but also leads to challenges like inequality and pollution.
Explain Wirth's theory of urbanism.
Large size, high density, and social heterogeneity create a unique urban environment with anonymity and complexity.
What role do small cities play?
Important regional and national roles, high quality of life, and centers of innovation and culture.
What are the challenges of rapid urbanization?
Pollution, inequality, congestion, and strain on infrastructure and resources.
What is the importance of connectivity in world cities?
Facilitates economic activity, cultural exchange, and the flow of information and resources.
How do world cities influence global trends?
They are centers of innovation and creativity, driving trends in finance, media, and the arts.
Compare Alpha and Beta cities.
Alpha cities are the most important global cities, while Beta cities are important but ranked below Alpha.
Compare megacities and small cities.
Megacities have populations over 10 million, while small cities have populations under 1 million; megacities have greater global influence, while small cities offer higher quality of life.
Compare cities and towns.
Cities have populations of 100,000+, diverse industries; towns are smaller with less infrastructure.
Compare world cities and Gamma cities.
World cities are major players in the global economy, while Gamma cities are important regional centers.
Compare metropolis and megalopolis.
A metropolis is a large city, economic center of a region. A megalopolis is multiple merged cities.
Compare the characteristics of a hamlet and a city.
A hamlet is a small, rural settlement, while a city has a large population, high density, and social heterogeneity.
Compare the economic influence of Alpha and Gamma cities.
Alpha cities have a major influence on the global economy, while Gamma cities have a more regional economic focus.
Compare the challenges faced by megacities and smaller cities.
Megacities face challenges like pollution and inequality, while smaller cities may face challenges like limited economic opportunities.
Compare the level of connectivity of world cities and regional towns.
World cities have high levels of global connectivity, while regional towns have limited global connections.
Compare the cultural influence of Alpha cities and Beta cities.
Alpha cities have a greater cultural influence on global trends, while Beta cities have a more regional cultural influence.
What is the effect of large city size?
Increased economic, political, and cultural power; greater innovation and economic growth.
What are the effects of being a world city?
Significant global influence, high economic activity, and connectivity to other global centers.
What are the effects of rapid megacity growth?
Increased pollution, inequality, congestion, and strain on resources and infrastructure.
What is the cause of a city becoming an Alpha city?
Strong economic activity, concentration of international institutions, and major transportation hubs.
What are the effects of social heterogeneity in cities?
Diverse cultures, innovation, and complexity, but also potential for social stratification and inequality.
What are the causes of megalopolis formation?
Urban sprawl, economic linkages, and transportation networks connecting multiple cities and suburbs.
What is the effect of a city being part of a megalopolis?
Strong influence on regional and national economies, but also faces challenges like congestion and pollution.
What is the cause of a city being designated as a Gamma city?
Important regional center with less significant global influence, focusing on regional industry and commerce.
What is the effect of globalization on cities?
Increased economic activity, cultural exchange, and connectivity, but also potential for increased inequality.
What is the effect of high population density in cities?
Efficient use of space, but also potential for increased pollution, crime, and strain on resources.