Urbanization: Growth, Functions, and Challenges
Urbanization
Urbanization is the phenomenon by which cities grow at an accelerated rate in number, population, and surface area. Characteristics and lifestyles of cities cover large areas. An extensive set of economic, social, cultural, and political factors make cities and complementary territories acquire a differentiation of functions, forming a hierarchical set of urban centers.
Descriptive Theory
Central Place Theory states that the main function of a city is to provide goods and services nationwide. The surrounding area explains various hierarchical levels of cities in a region according to different levels of specialization that each may offer its services.
The theory of gravitation and the theory of the economic base highlight that the city is important for industrial activity.
Urban Regions
- Metropolis: A set that forms a large city and small and medium cities around it. It is a well-integrated system where there are intensive flows between the core and the surrounding area. The center and surrounding sectors use residential and industrial areas.
- Conurbation: A large urban area where multiple cores of similar importance exist, with secondary and tertiary activities.
- Megacities: Urban regions with a very diverse core of multiple significance, with 20 million+ inhabitants. They have complex networks of economic activities.
Role of Urban Regions
- Commercial Function: Cities are important national and international centers of exchange. Specialized businesses and department stores stand out, and service centers of the cities may have internal expertise.
- Administrative Function and Services: Developed centralities, especially in the main urban areas’ core. These can be modern or old quarters, known as CBDs (Central Business Districts); they are well connected with the rest of the area.
Residential Function
Spatial segregation within a city determines the economic level of the people who live there. Areas around the historic centers are the suburbs (middle-class residential areas). Peripheral suburban areas (next to industrial areas) are suburban areas where people with a medium/high economic level live. These are well-connected, and shops are large areas of new creation. Population displacement occurs towards the center.
Industrial Function
Peripheral industrial estates and technology parks.
Capital Function
Capital is where power is centralized and where the seat of government is located. The capital city is the most important location. The cores of remote and economic power were created during the twentieth century when colonial empires were formed.
Urban Planning
Urbanism is the science that studies and controls the growth of cities. All actors, persons, or entities involved in the production of urban land are:
- Landowners
- Property Promoters
- Citizens
- Public Agencies
Land Classification
- Urban Land: Land already transformed that has access to traffic, water supply, and electricity, and is consolidated by the evacuation of water.
- Developable Land: Land subject to some special arrangements for protection.
- Non-Developable Land: Land that, according to the law, has neither developable nor urban land status. This land could be transformed according to established urban legislation.
Fourth World
These areas are located in the heart of poverty, amidst prosperity and urban neighborhoods. They tend to be situated in old homes where there are suburban and outlying areas, but also in rich areas. People live among trash and cardboard (homeless).