#AP Human Geography: Urbanization & Planning - The Night Before

Hey! Let's get you prepped for the exam with a super-focused review of urban planning concepts. We'll break down New Urbanism, Urban Revitalization, and Green Belts, making sure you're not just memorizing, but understanding how it all connects. Let's do this!

#Urban Sprawl: The Problem 🚗💨

• Key Characteristics:
  • Low-density housing (single-family homes)
  • Strip malls and big-box stores
  • Heavy reliance on automobiles
  • Separation of land uses (residential, commercial, etc.)
• Negative Impacts:
  • Increased traffic congestion and air pollution
  • Loss of agricultural land and natural habitats
  • Higher infrastructure costs (roads, utilities)
  • Social and economic segregation
  • Reduced quality of life due to lack of green space and longer commutes

#The Automobile's Role

• Pre-Automobile Cities:
  • Compact, pedestrian-friendly design
  • Mixed land uses
  • Variety of housing types
• Post-Automobile Cities:
  • Low-density, car-dependent development
  • Separation of land uses
  • Urban sprawl

#New Urbanism: The Solution? 🏘️🚶

New Urbanism is a planning and design approach that aims to counter urban sprawl by creating walkable, mixed-use, and human-scaled communities. It's all about making neighborhoods that feel like places, not just collections of buildings.

• Core Principles:
  • Walkability: Prioritizing pedestrian access with sidewalks and paths
  • Mixed-Use Development: Combining residential, commercial, and recreational spaces
  • Compact Design: Creating higher-density neighborhoods that use less land
  • Sense of Place: Emphasizing community interaction and public spaces
  • **Transect Pla...