Urban Structures, Growth, and Networks

City Structure

Most towns and cities serve as places of residence and have industries. These are located in different parts of the city; this determines the structure.

Residential Areas

Residential areas occupy the most space. Wealthier inhabitants live in the most elegant parts of the city. Poorer people live in less attractive districts in old buildings.

Service Areas

Cities provide a wide range of services. Many of these services are found in the city center. Politics is the main function of all capital cities. The largest port's main function is trade. Destinations of pilgrims have a primary religious function.

Industrial Areas

Industries were started in the cities. Very little industrial activity takes place inside the city. Most industries are located on the outskirts.

How Have Cities and Towns Grown?

The urban population refers to the people who live in cities. In developed countries, 75% of inhabitants live in cities. By 2017, half of the population of developing countries will live in cities. Most of the urban population lives in towns and medium-sized cities. The number of cities with more than 10 million inhabitants are called megacities. In 1950, New York was the only megacity. In 2000, there were 19 megacities, and by 2015, there will be 26. Today, Tokyo is the largest.

Cities grow and form extensive urban areas: metropolitan areas, conurbations, and megalopolises.

• Metropolitan Area: Refers to a large city or metropolis and its surrounding urban areas. Includes outlying towns and suburbs.
• Conurbation: If the metropolitan areas of two or more cities meet each other, they create a conurbation.
• Megalopolis: If several conurbations meet, they create a megalopolis. These are hundreds of kilometers long.

The Urban Network

Cities are the political, economic, cultural, communications, and transport centers for large areas. Cities are related to other cities and form an urban network.

• World Metropolises: Important international institutions, the main stock exchanges, and large multinational companies are based there.
• National Metropolises: Are capital cities and cities which have influence in a particular country. Government bodies and large companies are based there. Every country has one.
• Regional Metropolises: Are cities with influence on a particular region.
• Smaller Cities: Have influence on a smaller area.