Glossary
Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA)
A geographic area defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, consisting of an urban core and its adjacent counties that are socioeconomically tied to the core by commuting patterns.
Example:
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin Core-Based Statistical Area includes not just the city of Chicago but also surrounding counties in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, linked by daily commutes.
Garden-City Movement
An urban planning concept, founded by Ebenezer Howard, that advocates for self-contained communities combining the benefits of city life with the tranquility of the countryside.
Example:
Letchworth, England, was one of the first planned communities based on the Garden-City Movement principles, featuring green belts and mixed land use.
Megacities
Urban areas characterized by an extremely large population, typically exceeding 10 million inhabitants.
Example:
With over 37 million residents, Tokyo, Japan, is a prime example of a Megacity, facing unique challenges related to infrastructure and resource management.
Metacities (Global Cities)
Major urban centers that exert significant economic, cultural, and political influence on a global scale, serving as key nodes in the world economy.
Example:
London, UK, is considered a Metacity due to its role as a leading financial hub, cultural trendsetter, and center for international diplomacy.
Metropolitan Area
A large city and its surrounding suburbs, where residents typically commute to the central city for work, with a population exceeding 50,000.
Example:
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area encompasses multiple cities and their suburbs, forming a vast economic and residential region in Texas.
Micropolitan Area
A smaller urban region centered on a city with a population between 10,000 and 50,000, including its surrounding towns.
Example:
A college town like Flagstaff, Arizona, along with its adjacent communities, forms a Micropolitan Area serving as a hub for the surrounding rural region.
Primary Statistical Area (PSA)
A Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) that is not centered within a larger metropolitan or micropolitan area, typically having a population of at least 10,000.
Example:
A relatively isolated regional center like Redding, California, might be classified as a Primary Statistical Area, serving its immediate surrounding region without being part of a larger metro complex.
Suburbanization
The outward growth of urban areas as populations and development expand into the surrounding regions, often driven by a desire for more space and affordable housing.
Example:
After World War II, increased car ownership and the availability of affordable land fueled widespread suburbanization across the United States.
Urban Area
A densely populated region comprising a central city and its surrounding suburbs, typically with a population of at least 50,000 people.
Example:
The greater Los Angeles Urban Area includes the city itself and numerous surrounding communities like Santa Monica and Pasadena, forming a vast interconnected region.
Urban Cluster
A smaller urbanized area with a population ranging from 2,500 to 50,000 people, often serving as a regional center for surrounding rural areas.
Example:
A town like Boone, North Carolina, with its university and local businesses, functions as an Urban Cluster for the surrounding Appalachian communities.
Urban Sprawl
A pattern of low-density, car-dependent development that spreads outward from urban centers, consuming large amounts of land.
Example:
The endless strip malls and housing developments stretching along highways outside many American cities are classic signs of Urban Sprawl.
Urbanization
The process of population shift from rural to urban areas, leading to the growth of cities and the adaptation of societies to urban lifestyles.
Example:
Rapid industrialization in the 19th century led to significant urbanization in many Western countries, as people moved to cities for factory jobs.