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College/Department : Education/social studies

COURSE Code : SSE 3
Course Name : Urban Geography
1st Semester of A.Y. 2022-2023

Introduction

Cities exist in an era of increasing geographically extended spatial flows. Rural to urban and
transnational migration is transforming the demography of cities in unprecedented ways, such that there is
more internal multiplicity and the spatiality of city-dwellers is stretched between here and there. Where cities
end and rurality begins is unclear, and city effects pulse outwards drawing in rural-based lives and spaces,
creating hybrid urbanisms and new types of con- joined city regions. Cities are nowadays intensely embedded
in global networks of connectivity, be they economic, cultural or political.

Intended Learning Outcomes

A. Discuss the meaning of urban geography; and

B. Explain the role of urban geography and understanding cities

Activity

Discussion

Topic:
1. Thinking about cites relationally

2.Unsettling Cities, Cities of Connection and Disconnection

What is Urban Geography?

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THE URBAN WORLD

❖ We live in an urban world, or, more accurately, many different urban worlds. In July 2007, for
the first time in human history, the majority of the world’s population resided in cities. This
event, hailed as monumental in much media coverage, was, in itself, of little more than
symbolic importance. The trends, most notably massive urban growth in the Global South,
had been apparent for some time and show no sign of slowing down, let alone reversing. It is
against this background, a growing, dynamic urban world characterized by increasing
interconnection and inequality that faces challenges in the near future, including peak oil and
probable climate chaos, the world of urban geography. Urban geography texts always argue
that their publication coincides with exciting and challenging times for the city. They are
always correct. Whatever cities might be they are never boring. The dynamic and diverse
nature of the urban world presents a significant challenge for those attempting to write a
textbook to guide students through its complexities. For a general textbook, the aim should be
to provide the student with as comprehensive an overview as possible. However, this is
always only ever partially fulfilled. Textbooks, such as this one, are written by authors who

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approach the study of the city in particular ways, drawing on their own set of knowledge and
experiences.

⮚ Over the past century the human population has gone from being predominantly rural and
agricultural to mostly urban and metropolitan. Why? Because the quality of life in cities and
towns is generally better than that of the rural countryside. Mobile populations (especially
young people) are attracted to the bright lights and activity of cities and towns. But
interestingly, few city-dwellers know how or why their cities are laid out or function the way
they do. Urban geography is the scientific study how and why cities grow and change and
how it affects their residents. Urban structures are physical representations of the social,
economic, and cultural processes occurring within urban areas. They are interlinked systems
of increasing complexity. To understand ourselves is the reason we study urban geography.

⮚ First you need to define urban geography, which is more of a problem than you may think. I
consider it to be a sub-discipline within human geography. The latter essentially being the
study of the interface and interaction of humans and the world about them. Urban geography
would therefore tend to be focussed on urban environments and the human interactions and
interface within urban settings.

⮚ Given that urban living is now common to more than half of the world’s population the
separation of urban geography is probably, ironically, of less relevance asa a separate
discipline. Rather it is now superseded by the wider social aspects of the umbrella human
geography.

⮚ Human geography is essentially the study of the human interaction with the world, which
must include the interactions between people as much as interactions with the wider natural
world. As a subject it embraces pretty much every aspect of human life, habitation,
populations and the human impact on the natural world - so human geography is almost
entirely about social things.

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Unsettling cities unsettling cities

How does geography affect Urbanization

❖ You can answer this in a few different ways. First, the actual physical geography
(geomorphology, climate) will affect how the city can develop and where. Then there are
geographic factors such as demographics (is the city growing through immigration for
example; is the population aging as this will determine entertainment, recreation and housing
options as well as access for certain services). Is the city close to a major highway and other
major or smaller cities? Proximity other urban centres can limit growth whereas a highway
expands access to other markets and visitors (increasing growth).
❖ Finally, there are geographic "laws" such as Central Place Theory (limiting growth at a
regional scale, industrial & retail clustering within the city), land use theory (zones
characterized by transportation and housing costs) and the rank size rule (again limits to
growth). I put the word "law" or "theory" in quotation marks because as much as like this
stuff, and it does help explain a lot, none of these concepts meets the test of a theory.

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Connecting the unconnected: 

The role of urban geography and understanding cities

1. Contributing to society does not have to be complex. We can simply start by making the
lives of our loved ones better. Supporting our spouse, encouraging our children, helping
our parents, being there for our friends – are all worthy contributions to society.
2. Creating a meaningful impact on one person is also a significant contribution to society.
That one person can change the situation for the better for an entire family or community.
3. We believe that kindness can be a powerful force that can change many lives. Being kind,
though it sounds simple, is not easy.
4. You can become an emissary and contribute to society by just being in a certain state of
mind and sending positive vibes to the world.
5. Gratitude is one of the strongest positive emotions and can contribute greatly to the
betterment of society.
6. pay taxes, you give the government the resources not just to build the infrastructure and
govern effectively, but also to the government support programs, NGOs that depend on
funding.
7. Invest in learning and apply our knowledge for the betterment of society.
8. The bravest thing you can do to contribute to society is to be yourself
9. Volunteer with the NGO that lives that purpose and helps them out.
10. Share the good in your life, contribute to society and then watch the good in life grow.
11. Contribute to society by supporting small businesses.
12. There are many small things that we can do to make an impact and save our planet.

Exercise
(web-based research about a city)

● Graded individual :
Report: Students will be assigned a global city to discuss and research on. Their report should answer the
following questions:

1. How would you describe your city?

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2. What is your city known for?

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3. What makes your city a global city?

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Send: GOOGLE CLASSROOM

Assessment

ENCODED LONGBAND PAPER FONT SIZE 11 SINGLE SPACE)

❖ A range of definitions, concepts and ideas associated with the terms ‘city’ and ‘urban’ exist. It is
important that you are aware of the variety of ways in which urban areas can be defined and thought
about. As a student developing your understanding of cities, it is useful to reflect on the ideas about
urban areas that you already hold and how these link to broader ideas and beliefs. Either individually
or in conversation with family, friends or classmates think about the following question (and do not
read on before you have generated your own thoughts and reflections!): What do the terms ‘city’
and ‘urban’ mean to you? Make a list of things that you think define ‘the city’ or ‘the urban’.

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Send: GOOGLE CLASSROOM

Reflection

❖ ENCODED LONGBAND PAPER FONT SIZE 11 SINGLE SPACE)

Essay title: ‘

What are some of the key issues facing cities around the world in the twenty-first century?

Commentary on essay title :

An effective answer would outline some of the key urban trends and issues introduced in this opening chapter and would provide some examples of
these issues from cities around the world drawing on academic research into cities. It might also look to suggest which of these issues are the most
challenging ones facing cities. An excellent answer would look to move beyond this extended list and critically explore why these issues face cities and
why they present particular challenges. It would also look to set discussion more widely within academic writing on the city, evaluating different
perspectives, or lenses, adopted to look at urban issues.(350 words only)

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Resources and Additional Resources

● eBook : Urban Geography 2015

● Jonas, A.E.G., McCann, E. and Thomas, M. (2015) Urban Geography: A Critical Introduction,
Chichester, Wiley-Blackwell

● Speck, J. (2013). Walkable city. How downtown can save America, one step at a time.
Farrar, Stratus and Giroux.

Additional Resources:

● Legates, R.T. and Stout, F. (2016) The City Reader, 6th edn, Abingdon: Routledge

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● Hewitt, L. and Graham, S. (2015) ‘Vertical cities: representations of urban verticality in
twentieth century science-fiction literature’, Urban Studies, 52(5): 923–937