September 6, 2013 Lesson on : Features of u rban spaces Key Terms

1. September 6, 2013 • Lesson on: Features of urban spaces • Key Terms • Urban - Refers to areas with built up environment, high population densities and diverse way of life. • Rural (countryside) – Areas that are fairly large and isolated, often with low population, low population densities and mainly primary industries. • Key question: • What are the characteristics of urban spaces? Dwight Sutherland 2013

2. What is urbanisation? New York Liverpool • Urbanisation is the process by which a place becomes more built up, increase its population and become more diverse in its way of life. Dwight Sutherland 2013

3. Features of an urban areaThe word urban refers to areas with built up environment, high population densities and diverse way of life. Other features are: TASK 1: Read through the notes below on features of an urban area. Underline key/interesting facts. • There are few areas with natural vegetation in urban areas. Vegetation has been built over by phases of urban growth. Green spaces in urban areas are now so scarce that councils have been designating parks and green spaces. • Urban spaces have built up environments like towns and cities. There is a high density of buildings (which means there are many buildings in a small area). • Population is fairly large. An urban population can be defines as a place with between 2000-10000 people in an area. • High population densities are also common in urban spaces. A high population density is where you have more than 200 people per km2. • Places that are going through or have gone through urbanisation. Urban areas are constantly changing places. These changes usually result in them growing therefore becoming more urbanised. In other words urban spaces are usually always urbanising. Dwight Sutherland 2013

4. Features of an urban areaThe word urban refers to areas with built up environment, high population densities and diverse way of life. Other features area: 6. Places with a distinctive liberal (open minded) lifestyle. In urban areas people’s outlook on life are often more open minded and less judgemental. People are more tolerant and accepting of alternative/different lifestyles like homosexuality, bisexuality, atheism etc. 7. Multi-culturalismexists. There is a variety of different racial, cultural and ethnic groups in urban areas. As urban people are more open minded then immigrants are more welcomed in urban areas making them more multi-cultured. Urban areas will have more employment and business development opportunities which makes them more attractive to migrants. 8. Fast pace living. People are always on the move in urban areas conducting business , leisure activities etc. Many cities never sleep; a shop, store, pub or bar is always open no matter what time of day it is. Some geographers believe that this fast pace lifestyle has made urban dwellers more impersonal. 9. A diverse economy exists. Urban areas usually have several different industries which may include many secondary, tertiary and quaternary industries operating. Because they have many industries then urban spaces are often wealthier than rural areas. 10. Employment and business opportunity are better. There are more jobs in urban areas. They is a greater diversity of jobs (taxi driver to pilot, grocer to banker, pharmacist to neuro-surgean etc. Jobs in urban spaces are usually higher paid as well and workers have greater opportunity for promotion. Urban areas are highly populated places which means that there are more potential customers for a variety of different businesses. Urban spaces therefore have more business opportunity for SMEs (Small and medium size enterprises) . Dwight Sutherland 2013

5. TASK 2: Study the facts on Places profile HO (see VLE). Locate these places on a map. Say if these places are urban or rural. Give reasons for your answer (Use the characteristics of urban areas to help you). Keyword alert Socio-economic – Social and economic factors or issues. Geographic – Physical/natural features. Dwight Sutherland 2013

6. Progress check: What makes each place urban or rural? Dwight Sutherland 2013

7. TASK 3: Watch the video links of Dhaka. Describe the main features of Dhaka’s urban space (Use the characteristics of urban areas to help you). • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkKy4br1vFU Model answer: • Dhaka’s urban space is congested. For example ... Dwight Sutherland 2013

8. Extension : Think TASK: • There is an increasing trend for countries to urbanise. Urbanisation is often linked to economic development; the more prosperous and developed a country is the more urbanised it is. Why? Dwight Sutherland 2013

9. SUMMING UP:Is Southend an urban space? Dwight Sutherland 2013