Cities presentation introduction to geography

Introduction to geography

1. Cities Dr. Munene Mugambi

2. What does the term “city” mean to you? What city are you from? How can you characterize your city? Is it complex? What is unique about your city? How does your city speak about your migration history?

3. Introduction to Cities A city is a human settlement of a notable size and it can be defined as a permanent and densely settled place with administratively defined boundaries whose residents main work primarily on non-agricultural tasks. In general Cities have extensive systems for housing, transportation, sanitation, utilities, land use, production of goods, and communication. The density of cities enables interaction between people, government organizations, and businesses. These interactions between people, government and businesses at times can be beneficial in the process of improving improving the efficiency of goods and service distribution (e.g. water, licenses/permits, electricity, roads, public transport).

4. Early Cities The earliest cities formed thousands of years ago in Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China. Think about the “Old Medinas” in Morocco. Medina- comes from Arabic word meaning city or town. Medinas are historical districts in mostly North African cities that often corresponding to an old walled city. Do our “old medinas” such as in Rabat, Casablanca, Fez qualify as cities? Early cities and even medinas allowed for division of labor (farmers, soldiers, leaders), specialization (artisans such as craftsmen), and trade (money changes, food traders, finished goods). Today over half the world's population lives in cities and urbanization continues to increase.

5. Introduction to cities Historically, city dwellers have been a small percentage of the overall human population. However, unprecedented and rapid urbanization over the past two centuries has resulted in more that half of the global population moving to cities As we see today the growth of cities and their population has had profound consequences for global sustainability. Present-day cities usually form the core of larger metropolitan areas and urban areas— This creates a large population of commuters traveling toward city centers for employment, entertainment, government services, and education.

6. Characteristics of cities today Major characteristics of cities include: having downtown areas, Buildings (commercial and residential areas) highways, and other transportation networks. The identifiers of a city are businesses, a large population, and a unique cultural landscape.

7. Metropolitan A metropolitan area consists of a large urban cluster and surrounding territories that are closely interconnected. The urban center and surrounding regions share industries, commercial developments, transportation networks, infrastructure systems, and housing developments. Metropolitan areas contain dense populations living within urban agglomerations and neighboring territories that are economically and physically integrated through shared transportation, employment centers, utilities and residential communities.

8. Suburbs A suburb is a region located within a larger metropolitan area that frequently contains much of the economic activity for that region, such as commercial and mixed-use developments. A suburb can exist either as a part of a larger city or urban center, or it can function as its own separate political jurisdiction. Many suburbs house economic hubs containing offices, retail, and other commercial activities that service both the suburb and the larger surrounding metropolitan region

9. Low income areas and Informal Settlements In the case of our continent our major cities such as Casablanca, Nairobi, Johannesburg are characterized by formal and informal sectors along low and densely populated residential areas (suburbs and slum areas) A low-income area refers to a neighborhood, region or community where residents generally have lower socioeconomic status and incomes that are below the average or median income levels for the wider region or country. A slum refers to an urban residential area characterized by extreme poverty and inadequate, informal housing for a largely impoverished population. It describes neighborhoods with overcrowded and often unsafe living conditions. (townships, favelas, slums)

10. Slums/Low Income Areas in Cities Do we have low income or ”informal settlements” in Morocco?

11. “How Urban Design Keeps South Africa Segregated” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5O3yjC1BqA

12. Spatial Inequality in South Africa. Townships and Suburbs

13. Challenges of Cities Today’s rapidly globalized world, most cities have connections that extend beyond their local regions to some degree. This increased global influence means that cities also have significant impacts on international issues like sustainable development, climate change, and worldwide health concerns. Due to the large effects cities can have on global challenges, the international community has prioritized investing in sustainable urban development through the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11. Population growth leads to the growth of cities. How do we plan to ensure sustainable (long-term infrastructure growth) growth of cities? The mission on UN-SDG 11 is “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.”.

14. Challenges of Cities It is very noticeable that high concentrations of people such as in major cities has resulted in major environmental consequences such as: increasing pollution levels (from mass transportation). high waste generation from households and industries. waste management crisis due to public sector incompetence. strain on water supplies, sewerage systems, energy and other publicly used resources. Lack of properly planned public healthcare The experience of these environmental challenges and the increasing calls for sustainable development, is pushing for new ideas or utopian ideas such as “Smart Cities”

15. Discussion Question In today's world, the prevailing global challenge in many cities is climate change and urban planning, exacerbating issues such as water and energy shortages, air pollution, industrial pollution, poor waste management, and sanitation. These challenges greatly impact livelihoods and service delivery. How can innovation for sustainability contribute to ensuring the efficient functioning of cities?"

16. Cities and importance of Planning Planning of cities is critical to managing change in a structured manner which enhances sustainability, economic opportunity and livability within the city in the long term. Planning cities manages growth and development in an orderly, sustainable way. Planning helps guide where and how the city expands to accommodate population increases. Planning Improves infrastructure and transportation systems through long-term plans which provide a framework for efficiently investing in roads, utilities, public transit to support the city structure. Planning addresses issues like affordable housing, healthcare, education, and economic/employment zones of a city. This ensures equitable growth.

17. Cities and Importance of Planning Planning protects the environment and improves efficiency in land use. Planning encourages economic development which attracts business investments through clearly outlined vision, priorities and investment zones of the city. Planning reduces impacts from disaster risks and hazards by assessing environmental vulnerabilities (e.g., floods, earthquakes) and integrating prevention/mitigation plans. Planning guides public/private partnerships by bringing stakeholders together through a shared vision towards completing transformational development projects. Planning enables transparency by establishing clear, consistent rules and processes for residents and developers through comprehensive plans.

18. Urbanization Urbanization refers to the migration of people from rural countryside areas into cities and urban centers. It involves a shrinking percentage of the total population living in rural communities as more individuals move to urban areas. Urbanization is relevant to several academic disciplines due to its wide-ranging impacts. It relates to fields like urban planning, geography, sociology, architecture, economics, education, statistics and public health.

19. Urbanization Urbanization is relevant due to its wide-ranging impacts and it relates to fields like urban planning, geography, sociology, architecture, economics, education, statistics and public health. Urbanization has close ties to processes of globalization, modernization, industrialization, commercialization/marketization and the development of institutional and administrative systems.

20. Urbanisation Rapid urbanization presents enormous social, environmental and economic challenges for societies to address. However, it also provides an opportunity to develop more sustainable patterns of resource use, land management and biodiversity protection in urban centers. Unfortunately, recent urbanization trends have often led to unsustainable methods of living. Creating resilient and sustainable cities in response to urbanization is a key priority within the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 11 on cities and communities

21. Estimation of Global Urbanisation by the UN

22. Urbanisation In Africa Urbanization is one of the most significant transformations that the African continent will experience in the 21st century. Since 1990, the number of cities in Africa has doubled from 3,300 to 7,600 and their combined population has increased by 500 million people. Africa's cities are growing faster than any other region in the world; they are very young in population age and changing rapidly. The impact of urbanization on Africa's economic, social and political landscape over the coming decades will likely be profound.

23. Urbanisation in Africa Urbanization therefore presents immense potential to accelerate progress towards Africa's development goals for 2030 and 2063, as well as promote greater continental integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area. For African policymakers, it also brings major challenges in terms of planning, managing and financing urban growth at both the local and national levels. In 2021, an estimated 64.07 percent of Morocco's total population lived in urban areas and cities. Why is this so???

24. Urbanization Urbanization is mostly caused by Industrialization (growth of economic investments) employment opportunities (in both formal and informal sectors) rural to urban migration (in most cases due to economic needs) natural population growth/expansion. Some of the effects of urbanization include: Growth and development of infrastructure, economies of scale (increased levels of production that is cost effective) increased economic output, environmental crisis that result from growth (e.g. pollution, water shortages, sewerage, ecological fragmentation to accommodate cities)

25. Urbanization in Casablanca Casablanca’s spatial data can also indicate population growth which has lead to increased urbanisation overtime. Population growth has contributed to changes in land use and land cover. Spatial analysis of the physical environment is critical for urban planning.

26. Urban Land Use Urban land use can be identified as land for the use of commercial retailing, environmental management/conservation areas, recreational, manufacturing, residential/housing, transportation or industrial activities. These activities are for the benefit of society and the economy and ultimately aim to increase the development of a location. Zoning laws regulate land use in most cities, dividing land into zones for different purposes. Major land uses in most urban areas includes: residential (housing), commercial (business), industrial (manufacturing), public (govt/institutions).

27. Land use of Casablanca region and City

28. Urban Land Use Beijing China

29. Midtown Midtown refers to urban areas located roughly halfway between a city's downtown core and its outer edges or suburbs. Many midtown areas developed around major transportation nodes like train/subway stations located further from downtown than inner suburbs. This made midtowns attractive for residential and commercial development as they were more accessible than distant suburbs. Help decentralize growth from downtowns while maintaining urban amenities

30. Midtown Common characteristics of midtowns include high-rise residential and office developments, major cultural institutions (museums, performing arts centers), hospitals and medical campuses. Examples include Midtown Manhattan, Midtown Atlanta. Midtowns help decentralize traditional downtown cores and absorb overflow growth, relieving congestion downtown while providing urban amenities closer to suburbs. However, they can exacerbate urban sprawl (unrestricted growth) if not well-connected to public transit.

31. Guéliz, Marrakech Located about halfway between the old walled city center and newer suburban areas, Guéliz developed in the early 20th century around the train station. It is now a vibrant midtown area with hotels, restaurants, shopping and offices.

32. Westlands, Nairobi Westlands as a mid-town in Nairobi, Kenya is home to several international organizations, multinational corporations, and financial institutions, making it a significant business district in Nairobi.

33. Edge Cities Midtowns are located within cities while edge cities are commercial centers outside city boundaries that exhibit some characteristics of urban areas Edge cities refer to business districts that emerge on the outer suburbs or exurbs of metropolitan areas, beyond the traditional downtown core and inner-ring suburbs. Often develop around major highway interchanges, allowing accessibility by private vehicle from surrounding lower-density suburban areas. Dominated by office parks, shopping malls, hotels, multiplex cinemas and other commercial activities catering to surrounding car-dependent populations.

34. Edge Cities Examples include Tysons Corner outside Washington D.C., Alpharetta-North Point outside Atlanta, Burbank in Los Angeles area, Schaumburg in Chicago area. Edge cities helped accommodate decentralizing populations and businesses, but also encouraged further sprawl and car dependence with their design and isolation from traditional urban centers. Pose challenges to planning and provision of infrastructure as they fall outside the jurisdiction of central cities. Often lack cohesive community identities of traditional downtowns and neighborhoods.

35. Sidi Maarouf Sidi Maarouf , Casablanca - Located on the city's northern outskirts, Sidi Maarouf has grown dramatically since the 1990s around office towers, malls and franchise stores concentrated at the A1/A3 interchange very accessible by car.

36. Gentrification: There goes the old neighborhood. Gentrification is the influx of investment and higher income residents to economically distressed urban neighborhoods. It often displaces lower income residents as rents and property values rise (price of land and housing increases). Concerns include effects on social diversity. Poor marginalized communities are edged of urban spaces.

37. Gentrification Reinvestment and renewal of deteriorated urban neighborhoods in the form of various businesses (cafes, nightlife, luxury consumers shopping, art galleries) catering to new residents with higher incomes and high-income luxury housing (e.g. condominiums, lofts, apartments) Often displaces low-income residents due to increased property values. Urban displacements Triggers by return of young professionals (bankers, I.T., engineers) and artists for urban lifestyles and pop culture At times developments can restore historic architecture but at the same time they reduce affordable housing Benefits and drawbacks are heavily debated in various narratives about planning and development.

38. Impacts of Gentrification Gentrification results in various impacts: The reversing of suburban flight (the returning of suburban residents into the cities). Businesses that only cater to high income residents. Lowers diversity and marginalizes poorer communities loss of longtime cultural anchors and institutions over time (historical districts e.g. Bo- Kaap , South Africa). rising land values and rental prices near urban cores. Increased amenities that cannot be afforded by everyone. Increased homelessness and social inequality, affordable housing crisis. policy promoting revitalization.

39. Central Business Districts The central business district (CBD) is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. Historic core commercial areas of many large cities. The core centre of commercial and administrative activities of a city. The CBD has high land values, dense infrastructure, commercial and administrative functions. It is often the center of transportation networks. Concentrated area of skyscrapers containing offices, retail, services. Favored as a location due to central access, mass transit links and amenities . In recent decades, some economic activity has decentralized, but CBDs remain vitally important. Due to pressure, congestions, socio-economic challenges like crime that drive away businesses.

40. Central Business districts Concentrated area of skyscrapers containing offices, retail, services Favored locations due to central access, mass transit links and amenities CBDs face competitive pressures from decentralization trends Many adopt mixed uses and encourage residential to retain prominence

41. Johannesburg and Casablanca CBD’s

42. The Capitalist City The capitalist city is organized and structured to facilitate capital accumulation by elites. Zoning, infrastructure, transport networks, land use, and policies favor the interests of capitalist growth over social equity. Inequalities can be observed in disparities of housing, health, education, employment across urban socioeconomic divides.

43. Urban Diversity Cities are centers of diversity in cultures, nationalities, languages, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Urban diversity provides economic and cultural vibrancy but also poses challenges for equitable access to services and opportunities. Planning and governance must balance growth and investment with inclusion and affordability.

44. Models of Urban Configuration Concentric zone model : City divided into central business district surrounded by industrial, working class, residential, commuter zones radiating out. Proposed by Burgess. Sector model : City divided into pie-shaped wedges oriented along transportation corridors. Proposed by Hoyt. Multiple nuclei model : City has no single center but multiple sub-centers interconnected by transportation. Proposed by Harris and Ullman. Urban Configuration varies across the world and cities have grown uniquely to fit their social, cultural and economic demands and changes overtime. Casablanca’s urban configuration is different to Johannesburg. There are many other urban configuration models (e.g. galactic city, spine model) but no single model can fully captures complexity of cities urban configurations.

45. Concentric zone model (Urban Configuration)

46. Sector Zone Model (Urban Configuration)

47. Multiple Nuclei Model (Urban Configuration)

48. The Chicago School of Urban Sociology The Chicago School at University of Chicago was pivotal in establishing urban sociology as a defined subfield of sociology. Researchers conducted important early qualitative studies examining urban life in Chicago as it expanded rapidly in the late 19th century. The Chicago School sought to understand how the increase in urbanization contributed to emerging social problems of the time, like poverty and poor living conditions. They noted how Chicago did not sprawl outward uniformly, but rather developed distinct social classes divided by neighborhood. Scholars also studied the effects of immigration on cultural norms and community organizations.

49. The Chicago School of Urban Sociology Emerged in 1920s at University of Chicago led by many sociologists like Robert Park and Ernest Burgess. Conducted fieldwork to understand social dynamics of cities empirically. Studied immigrant communities and spatial patterns of land use within cities. Proposed the concepts of human ecology - how people and the natural/built environment interact. Developed the concentric zone model of urban spatial layout. Argued that cities are natural "laboratories" for understanding social processes like competition, invasion/succession, and segregation. Had significant influence on urban studies.

50. The Right to the City Concept ”The right to the city” concept first articulated by French sociologist Henri Lefebvre inhis 1968 book “Le Droit a la Ville”. Idea that everyone has a right to participation in urban life and decision-making over the cities they inhabit. He argues that urban space should not be solely controlled by market forces, such as commodification and capitalism, but should be shaped and governed by the citizens who inhabit it. Refers not just to physical accessibility but to shape urban processes. Has been invoked by social movements advocating for marginalized groups. Youth and urban cultural movements have claimed the right to the city by occupying and reimagining public spaces. Through street art, music, parades they manifest their identities and reshape urban environments. Asserting the right to the city questions who has power over urban change and who has been excluded from shaping cities and communities. Remains relevant in an era of rapid urbanization and gentrification.