In class today we broke into pairs and created outlined answers for the following questions:
What is urban renewal? Why do cities undergo urban renewal, and what are the results?
How are urban areas different in the US and in other countries?
Discuss the possible reasons for the origin of settlements.
What are the urban structures models that geographers use to understand how cities are organized? How well do they apply to cities?
How do MDCs and LDCs differ in the types of services that make up their economies? Why?
What is urban planning and design? How can urban planning impact peoples perceptions and behavior?
What are some of the problems associated with increasing urbanization in LDCs?
According to the text, gentrification is defined as “a process of converting an urban neighborhood from a predominantly low-income renter-occupied area to a predominantly middle-class owner-occupied area”. This definition by itself does not express the controversy surrounding this form of urban residential change. To some, gentrification displaces low-income people who find it increasingly difficult to find affordable housing. To others, it is a welcome renovation of often run-down urban real estate. Your essay should explain the controversy and you may want to choose one side to argue.
Describe how the central place theory describes why consumer services are distributed in regular patterns. Be sure to address the concept of market area, range, and threshold.
What are squatter settlements? Why do they develop and what are the living conditions in them?
