S.6 Geo Urbanization Revised 2015 Caltec S.6

URBANIZATION Urbanization is the process whereby an increasing proportion of the population becomes concentrated in towns. There is a continuous shift of the population from rural areas to towns and cities, and the resultant growth of urban areas. The criteria of classification /identification of urban areas is based on: population size, population density, administrative and legal status, social and economic functions. But the most common determinant of whether an area is a town or not is the population size. Basic concepts Urban morphology This refers to the internal structure and arrangement of the town. The morphology of towns differs from place to place due to differences in site, functions, history of development and the age of the town. Urban fields This is the area around a town which it serves and from which it draws customers for its goods and services. The town itself is called the central place and the area around it is the field of influence (urban filed). The urban field depends upon the size of the town and kind of services it offers. Urban hierarchy This is the ranking of towns according to the services they provide and the size of their fields. Urban sprawl This the outward spread of built- up areas caused by their expansion. Or it is the areal expansion of rapidly growing cities (as a result of urbanization) Towns are continuously growing and in some areas the suburbs of a number of neighboring towns may be so close together as to form an almost continuous urban development called a conurbation Hinterland This is the area which serves and is in turn served by a port. Or It is the area from which supplies are drawn for export and to which imports are distributed. For example the hinterland of Rotterdam covers countries like …