Understanding Urbanization: Concepts, Structures, and Challenges

Posted on Sep 9, 2024 in Geography

City: Conceptualization, Origin, Evolution, Structure, and Functions

Definitions from the Quantitative Point of View

Quantitative definitions of a city often consider factors like:

  • The number of inhabitants per km2.
  • The size (surface expansion).
  • The landscape: a cityscape where natural elements are almost excluded (large buildings, streets, shops, etc.).
  • Prevalence of non-agricultural economic activities (industrial, services, etc.).

However, this parameter may not be universally applicable. For example, in some countries, there are numerous agro-cities exceeding 50,000 inhabitants where agriculture remains significant.

Definitions from the Qualitative Point of View

Qualitative analysis also doesn’t offer a definitive solution for conceptualizing the city. It’s a dynamic entity with varying meanings across historical periods. In the present, we cannot categorize cities solely based on the predominance of non-agricultural activities or the increased presence of transport, industry, and commerce.

Furthermore, it’s crucial to consider the concept of the urban lifestyle, which differs from rural life. It’s characterized by:

  • A multitude of behaviors, needs, customs, and dynamics.
  • A variety of trades, jobs, and specialized workers.
  • Prevalence of the service sector.
  • Impersonal communication.
  • Low or no social control.

General Characteristics that Differentiate Rural and Urban Populations:

Demographic Structure:

Generally, rural areas experience outward migration, while cities receive migrants. This influences the average age, which is typically higher in rural areas, and the sex ratio, as it’s usually the male population that migrates.

Economic Sectors:

The agricultural sector predominates in rural areas, while cities have a greater presence of commercial, industrial, and administrative activities, with agriculture being virtually non-existent.

Population Density:

Both gross population density (number of people per total area) and net density (number of people per floor area) are higher in urban areas compared to rural areas.

Socioeconomic and Cultural Aspects:

The general economic status of cities is higher than in rural towns, as economic powers are concentrated in urban centers. Regarding socio-cultural aspects, cities offer greater freedom of behavior and more open social attitudes, leading to more liberal lifestyles compared to the countryside.

In view of the foregoing, a city could be defined as: “A concentrated community of population whose inhabitants are engaged mainly in non-agricultural activities, centralizing and distributing goods, services, and communications in the surrounding space, and whose inhabitants have essentially urban habits.”

Situation and Location of Cities

The situation of a city refers to its position in relation to larger geographical features (regions or pathways) that facilitate the necessary connections for it to perform its functions. Common types of cities based on their situation include:

  • Cities at crossroads or communication hubs.
  • Cities at the confluence of rivers or valleys.
  • Cities located along a major transportation axis connecting different geographical areas.
  • Coastal cities.

The site refers to the specific physical space upon which a city is built, including its topography and natural features. The site influences the urban landscape and spatial development. It’s typically related to two factors:

  • The initial reason for the city’s establishment.
  • The characteristics of the physical environment (topography, soil, water availability, etc.).

Structure and Functions of the City

Urban plans are essential tools for studying urban morphology. They reveal the general shape of the city and its basic units. The structure of cities is often analyzed through three aspects:

  • The road network.
  • The buildings (this will be explored in practice).
  • The functions performed by buildings.

Within a city, distinct areas can be identified based on their functions:

The City Center

The city center is characterized by the concentration of tertiary activities, management, and coordination functions. It’s not always the oldest part or the most accessible area.

It’s a dynamic space that evolves over time. Historically, it has been a desirable place to live and has attracted speculation from residents. It continues to be a preferred location for public services, businesses, and shops.

The Industrial Zone

In some cities, industrial activities are limited to small industries forming a belt around the city, traditionally located on the outskirts and mixed with service sector facilities. In larger cities, industrial sites are often found in designated areas on the periphery.

Residential Areas

Residential areas occupy the majority of urban space and are categorized based on the economic status of the population:

  • Slums and lower-class neighborhoods are typically located on the periphery or in older, poorly equipped buildings in the city center. Suburban slums may consist of social housing projects with low levels of urbanization and poor construction quality.
  • Modest or lower-middle-class neighborhoods are often found around the city center, characterized by the use of inexpensive building materials and limited green spaces.
  • Wealthy neighborhoods are usually well-urbanized, quiet, and feature abundant green spaces.

The Function of a City

The function of a city is to fulfill specific needs (military, administrative, industrial, etc.). Larger cities often have multiple functions, but every city, regardless of its size or location, has a commercial function. To determine the role or functions of a city, it’s necessary to analyze the activities of its inhabitants (which can be investigated through census data).

Cities with only one dominant function are called single-function cities (e.g., religious, military, administrative). Other cities, due to their diverse functions, create an area of attraction or “hinterland” for the surrounding population.

The Perception of the City: Teaching and Learning the Urban Phenomenon

Children’s concepts of the city evolve with age. Younger children describe cities based on prominent physical features. As they grow, their perspective broadens, and they can also refer to the activities of people living in the city.

To begin the study of the city, an ideographic approach, typical of regional geography or a historicist approach, is more suitable. This focuses on description before evaluating relationships and realities within the urban environment.

The method is inductive, starting with observation and intuition, followed by comparison, and finally, generalization. The objective is to understand the city from within:

  • It’s a concept-specific definition of the city, simple and accessible to elementary school students.
  • It analyzes the forms of urban morphology.
  • By the end of this stage, students can address other issues like historical evolution, population characteristics, or the impact of political and economic powers on urban morphology.

The teaching of this subject should involve intensive use of graphic materials, maps, statistics, reports, and documents. It should progress from basic elements and user-friendly documents to more complex ones, expanding the field of study in concentric circles. The approach should utilize observation, intuitive and experiential elements, and gradually introduce more abstract concepts to address complex realities.

The Problems of Urban Areas: Promoting Values in Urban Society: Solidarity, Responsibility, and Participation

Some of the most significant problems faced by cities include:

  • Lack of planning, leading to construction abuses in many urban areas, negatively impacting the rural and urban landscape, and compromising the quality of life of residents. This also encourages speculation and drives up land prices.
  • Water supply problems, exacerbated by droughts.
  • Waste disposal problems: recycling of organic and inorganic waste is emerging as a cost-effective solution.
  • Traffic and transport: the car has become a major problem in cities, with the number of vehicles exceeding the capacity of urban roads. Possible solutions include banning motor traffic in certain areas, creating pedestrian shopping zones, and prioritizing public transport.
  • Violence, insecurity, and social tensions.
  • Marginalization problems: a serious deepening of social inequalities.
  • Housing shortages or lack of access to affordable housing, especially in developing countries, but also in developed nations.

Alongside the increased standard of living, there’s a continuous deterioration of the quality of life and the urban ecosystem.

Values in Crisis that Need to be Addressed in the Classroom:

Ethical and Social Values:

Behavior governed by moral obligation and responsibility in relationships with others, including the right to work, respect, tolerance, generosity, and justice.

Affective-Social Values:

Feelings and ideas that enrich personal life but are not mandatory, such as responsibility, friendship, communication, kindness, and companionship.