16.1: Introduction
Urban geography is a subfield of geography that studies cities and urban areas. Urban geographers examine the physical, social, and economic dimensions of urban environments, and how they interact with each other. They also study the processes that shape urban development and evolution of them, and the impact of urbanization on the environment and society, (which includes ethnically and economically).
Urban geography is a broad field, and there are many different subtopics that urban geographer’s study. Some of the most common subtopics include:
- Urban Form: This refers to the physical layout of cities, including the size and shape of streets, blocks, and buildings. Urban geographers study how urban form is influenced by factors such as history, culture, and economic development.
- Urban Land Use: This refers to the way that land is used in cities, such as for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes. Urban geographers study how urban land use is influenced by factors such as transportation, accessibility, and environmental concerns.
- Urban Transportation: This refers to the movement of people and goods within and between cities. Urban geographers study how urban transportation systems are designed and operated, and how they impact the environment and society.
- Urban Social Geography: This refers to the social characteristics of cities, such as population density, ethnicity, and income inequality. Urban geographers study how these social characteristics are distributed across urban space, and how they shape people's lives.
- Urban Environmental Geography: This refers to the environmental impacts of cities, such as air pollution, water pollution, and climate change. Urban geographers study how cities interact with their natural environment, and how they can be made more sustainable.