Urban Geography: Key Concepts and City Structures
Downtown
The central area of a city, serving as the hub for administrative and residential functions. It is characterized by high land values and tall buildings.
Periurban Area
The outskirts of a city, featuring diversified development including residential houses, apartment blocks, and commercial or industrial centers.
Location and Urban Situation
The physical site upon which a city rests, often historically linked to ancient communication routes.
Urban Planning and City Layouts
The variables that influence the urban landscape. There are four primary types:
- Orthogonal (Grid/Checkerboard/Hippodamian): Characterized by straight roads intersecting perpendicularly. It is the most planned layout.
- Radiocentric: Features a center with radial streets and concentric rings. Can be regular or irregular.
- Irregular: Lacks a uniform geometric pattern.
- Equirectangular: A specific geometric arrangement of streets.
Ensanche
An urban expansion plan, typically in a grid format, designed to accommodate a massive influx of migrants.
Urban Morphology
The external appearance of a city, influenced by its location and situation. It is the result of the combination of construction patterns and land use.
Metropolitan Area
An urban region formed by a major city acting as the organizing center for several adjacent municipalities.
Habitat Types
- Dispersed Habitat: Population is spread out alongside service functions.
- Concentrated Habitat: Population lives in towns with centralized services and residential functions.
Urban Regeneration
Transformations carried out on building facades and infrastructure within an urban area to prevent decay and improve quality of life.
Urban Hierarchy
The influence of a system of cities ranging from global to regional levels, established by quantitative and qualitative criteria.
Urban Functions
The various occupations of a city's inhabitants, including industrial, commercial, and cultural activities, which define the city and its area of influence.