US Urban Geography Quiz
Metros, suburbs, sprawl, land use concepts (10 questions).
US Urban Geography Quiz: Quick Study Notes
Understanding the spatial organization of the United States involves analyzing how cities grow, shrink, and interact with their surrounding environments. This overview covers the transition from dense urban cores to sprawling suburbs and the concepts defining modern land use.
Key Takeaways
- Megalopolis: A super-region of coalescing cities (e.g., BosWash).
- CBD: The Central Business District contains the highest density of commercial activity.
- Rust Belt vs. Sun Belt: The shift of population and industry from the North/Midwest to the South/West.
- Zoning: The primary legal tool cities use to control land use compatibility.
- Exurbs: Prosperous commuter districts located beyond the traditional suburbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Edge City?
An Edge City is a concentration of business, shopping, and entertainment outside a traditional downtown (CBD) in what had previously been a suburban residential or rural area.
What is the difference between an MSA and a CSA?
An MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) is a core city plus connected counties. A CSA (Combined Statistical Area) is a larger region grouping adjacent MSAs that share economic ties.
What defines Urban Sprawl?
Urban Sprawl is defined by unrestricted growth in urban areas of housing, commercial development, and roads over large expanses of land, with little concern for urban planning.
What is New Urbanism?
New Urbanism is an urban design movement that promotes environmentally friendly habits by creating walkable neighborhoods containing a wide range of housing and job types.
What was the Great Migration?
While not strictly a land-use term, it refers to the movement of 6 million African Americans from the rural South to the urban Northeast, Midwest, and West, reshaping US urban demographics.
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