Human Geography 101: Urban Geography - Smart Growth and New Urbanism

What This Is

Smart Growth and New Urbanism are urban planning and design approaches that aim to create more sustainable, equitable, and livable cities. These concepts matter for understanding spatial patterns and human-environment interactions because they influence how people live, work, and interact with their surroundings. For example, the city of Curitiba, Brazil, is a model for Smart Growth, with its well-planned public transportation system, green spaces, and mixed-use development.

Key Models, Theories & Terms

• New Urbanism: A movement that advocates for walkable, mixed-use, and compact urban design, often with a focus on community and social interaction. Example: The town of Seaside, Florida, is a New Urbanist development that features narrow streets, public parks, and a mix of housing types.
• Smart Growth: A planning approach that aims to manage urban growth in a way that balances economic, social, and environmental concerns. Example: The city of Portland, Oregon, has implemented Smart Growth policies, such as density bonuses and urban renewal initiatives, to promote more efficient and sustainable development.
• Urban Sprawl: The spread of urban development into surrounding rural areas, often characterized by low-density, car-dependent development. Example: The suburbs of Los Angeles, California, are a classic example of urban sprawl, with their single-family homes, strip malls, and limited public transportation.
• Compact City: A city design that prioritizes density, mixed-use development, and public transportation, often with a focus on reducing car dependence. Example: The city of Copenhagen, Denmark, is a compact city that features a high density of housing, shops, and services within walking distance of public transportation.
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): A planning approach that focuses on developing around public transportation hubs, such as train stations or bus terminals. Example: The city of Vancouver, Canada, has implemented TOD policies, such as density bonuses and affordable housing requirements, to promote more efficient and sustainable development around its public transportation system.
• Mixed-Use Development: A type of development that combines residential, commercial, and recreational uses in a single area. Example: The city of Barcelona, Spain, features many mixed-use developments, such as the famous La Rambla, which combines shopping, dining, and entertainment with residential and office space.
• Green Infrastructure: A type of infrastructure that incorporates natural systems, such as parks, green roofs, and rain gardens, to manage stormwater runoff and improve air quality. Example: The city of Chicago, Illinois, has implemented green infrastructure projects, such as the Chicago Riverwalk, to improve water quality and enhance public spaces.
• Urban Agriculture: The practice of growing food within urban areas, often using innovative techniques such as vertical farming or community gardens. Example: The city of Detroit, Michigan, has implemented urban agriculture initiatives, such as the Detroit Urban Farm, to promote food security and community engagement.

Step-by-Step Application

1. Identify the dominant urban form (e.g., compact city, sprawl) in a given city or region by analyzing its density, land use patterns, and transportation infrastructure.
2. Determine the level of mixed-use development in a given area by examining the types and densities of residential, commercial, and recreational uses.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of a city's green infrastructure by assessing its impact on stormwater runoff, air quality, and public health.
4. Analyze the role of transit-oriented development in a given city by examining its public transportation system, density of development around transit hubs, and overall urban form.
5. Compare and contrast different urban planning approaches (e.g., Smart Growth, New Urbanism, urban sprawl) by examining their underlying principles, design characteristics, and social and environmental impacts.

Common Misconceptions

• Misconception: Smart Growth and New Urbanism are the same thing.
• Correction: While both approaches prioritize compact, walkable, and mixed-use development, Smart Growth focuses on managing urban growth in a way that balances economic, social, and environmental concerns, whereas New Urbanism emphasizes community and social interaction.
• Misconception: Urban sprawl is always bad.
• Correction: While urban sprawl can have negative social and environmental impacts, it can also provide opportunities for affordable housing and economic development in rural areas.
• Misconception: Compact cities are always more sustainable than sprawled cities.
• Correction: While compact cities can reduce car dependence and promote more efficient use of resources, they can also lead to increased density and social inequality if not designed and managed carefully.

AP Exam / Free-Response Tips

• When answering FRQs, be sure to define key terms and concepts, such as Smart Growth and New Urbanism, and explain their underlying principles and design characteristics.
• Use specific examples from real-world cities and regions to illustrate your points and demonstrate your understanding of the concepts.
• Be sure to address all parts of the question and use clear and concise language to explain your answers.
• When integrating models into essays, be sure to explain how they apply to the specific context and provide evidence from real-world examples to support your arguments.

Quick Practice Scenario

A megacity in a developing country grows rapidly as rural residents move in for factory jobs. Identify the dominant migration pattern and one likely urban model that describes its structure.

Answer: The dominant migration pattern is likely rural-to-urban migration, and the likely urban model is the Burgess concentric zone model, which features a central business district surrounded by residential zones.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Smart Growth: A planning approach that balances economic, social, and environmental concerns.
• New Urbanism: A movement that advocates for walkable, mixed-use, and compact urban design.
• Urban Sprawl: The spread of urban development into surrounding rural areas.
• Compact City: A city design that prioritizes density, mixed-use development, and public transportation.
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): A planning approach that focuses on developing around public transportation hubs.
• Mixed-Use Development: A type of development that combines residential, commercial, and recreational uses.
• Green Infrastructure: A type of infrastructure that incorporates natural systems to manage stormwater runoff and improve air quality.
• Urban Agriculture: The practice of growing food within urban areas.
• Burgess Concentric Zone Model: A model that features a central business district surrounded by residential zones.
• Ethnic religion (e.g., Judaism, Hinduism) is not the same as universalizing religion (e.g., Christianity, Islam, Buddhism) – ethnic religions do not actively seek converts.