Deck 16: Urbanization: Why Are Cities Growing

Question 1

Many urban areas are experiencing a decay of their infrastructure. Which of the following would be an example of this?

A) more people living in high-rise apartments
B) damaged roads and sidewalks
C) an increase in green spaces
D) increased rates of crime

Answer 1

damaged roads and sidewalks

Question 2

In the early and mid-1900s, people left farming communities in rural Michigan for the promise of better work and pay in Detroit. This is an example of

A) urban transition.
B) urban density.
C) suburban sprawl.
D) urban penalty.

Answer 2

urban transition.

Question 3

Analyze the table below showing information about four counties in a state. Based on these data, which county would MOST likely be considered an urban area?

A) Eaton
B) Miller
C) Smith
D) Preston

Answer 3

Eaton

Question 4

Analyze the table below showing information about four counties in a state. Based on these data, which county would MOST likely be considered a rural area?

A) Eaton
B) Miller
C) Smith
D) Preston

Question 5

In the mid-1800s, diseases like cholera and tuberculosis were rare in most of England, but frequent epidemics of these diseases would occur in densely populated London. This is an example of

A) bright lights syndrome.
B) planners' dilemma.
C) a slum.
D) urban penalty.

Question 6

If a city wanted to increase its urban density, which of the following changes should be implemented?

A) increase the suburban sprawl
B) increase the lot size on new home developments
C) increase the number of single-family homes
D) increase the number of apartments and condos

Question 7

Large chains of supermarkets can offer lower prices due to their ability to buy items in bulk. This shows the impact from

A) the economy of scale.
B) informal economies.
C) urban areas.
D) None of these are correct.

Question 8

Urban areas are able to bring together people from diverse backgrounds along with information and things; therefore, they serve as a

A) megalopolis.
B) one-use zone.
C) network.
D) transit-oriented development.

Question 9

A nonprofit group is analyzing urban areas of Bangladesh to determine regions to label as slums. Which criteria should it use?

A) areas with substandard housing
B) areas with high poverty rates
C) a lack of formal property ownership arrangements
D) All of the above are correct.

Question 10

During the Great Depression, many migrant workers and families who had lost their homes were drawn to urban areas, where they believed they would find more opportunities. This is referred to as

A) urban transition.
B) bright lights syndrome.
C) urban penalty.
D) None of these are correct.

Question 11

Despite the lack of banks and stores in slums, people still can buy and sell goods and services, usually through the

A) informal economy.
B) economy of scale.
C) mixed-use area.
D) network.

Question 12

The community of Stubville has a high population density and is surrounded by state land. If the state decides to open this land up for development, and a new highway is built leading out from Stubville to the surrounding areas, what could result from these changes?

A) suburban sprawl
B) pedestrian-oriented development
C) green infrastructure
D) All of these are correct.

Question 13

The city of Denver, Colorado, contains over 700,000 residents and is one of the 20 most populous cities in the United States. While it continues to grow and expand, there are few other large cities close to it. Based on this information, we would define Denver as a

A) megalopolis.
B) one-use zone.
C) rural area.
D) metropolitan area (metropolis).

Question 14

The city of Denver, Colorado, contains over 700,000 residents and is one of the 20 most populous cities in the United States. If the surrounding cities of Fort Collins and Colorado Springs were to grow to the point that all these cities were connected, this area could be defined as a

A) megalopolis.
B) one-use zone.
C) rural area.
D) metropolitan area (metropolis).

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of a one-use zone?

A) a subdivision
B) a shopping mall
C) government buildings
D) All of these are correct.

Question 16

Many people living in suburban areas are increasingly reliant on to get to work and school each day.

A) walking
B) biking
C) cars
D) public transportation

Question 17

Based on the 2010 census, if we compare people living in central cities and suburban areas, overall population has in suburban areas and population density has .

A) increased; increased
B) increased; decreased
C) decreased; decreased
D) Populations in these two areas are equal.

Question 18

Suburban sprawl results in developments that typically have

A) increased dwelling units per acre.
B) decreased dwelling units per acre.
C) equal dwelling units per acre.
D) increased high-rise buildings.

Question 19

Which of the following developments would have the highest floor-to-area ratio (FAR)?

A) a high-rise building without a parking lot
B) a low-rise building with a parking lot
C) a single-family home on a one-acre lot
D) a shopping mall

Question 20

Which of the following contributed to the rise of the suburbs in the 1940s and 1950s?

A) housing policies that favored single-family homes
B) guaranteed home loans
C) increased road funding by the US government
D) All of these are correct.

Question 21

The city of Boca Raton, Florida, is in need of improved organization of its downtown spaces, including the addition of green spaces and more multifamily units within walking distance of shops and restaurants. This work would be considered

A) urban planning.
B) the planners' dilemma.
C) creating a mixed-use area.
D) suburban sprawl.

Question 22

The city of Boca Raton, Florida, is in need of improved organization of its downtown spaces, including the addition of green spaces and more multifamily units within walking distance of shops and restaurants. When these changes are made, the traffic flow is now reduced, increasing commute times for drivers from other cities in the region. This balance of local and regional scales is

A) urban planning.
B) the planners' dilemma.
C) creating a mixed-use area.
D) suburban sprawl.

Question 23

Which of the following strategies have urban planners found most helpful when dealing with planners' dilemma?

A) increase public transportation
B) remove infrastructure
C) increase single-family homes
D) engage local community

Question 24

The city of Amarillo, Texas, is gathering data on traffic congestion. Over the past three years, workers have added lanes to many roads, increasing the capacity of the roads by 20%. Despite this increase in capacity, commute times in Amarillo have only decreased by 2%. What would explain these results?

A) pedestrian-oriented development
B) planners' dilemma
C) induced traffic
D) transit-oriented development

Question 25

The city of Amarillo, Texas, is gathering data on traffic congestion. It finds that 74% of commuters are driving their cars alone, 12%are carpooling, and 10% are using public transportation. This information is referred to as

A) a modal split.
B) a planners' dilemma.
C) induced traffic
D) transit-oriented development.

Question 26

Which of the following is a problem associated with designing areas around the use of cars?

A) widened roads with less sidewalk spaces
B) homes built farther off roads to accommodate driveways
C) increased parking areas and lots
D) All of these are correct

Question 27

What is the correct relationship between population density and the use of public transportation?

A) Higher density results in lower public transportation usage.
B) Higher density results in higher public transportation usage.
C) Density does not influence public transportation usage.
D) Suburban sprawl results in higher public transportation usage.

Question 28

Below is the population density for four cities. Which would be the MOST likely to have the highest percentage of the population that uses public transportation? ?

A) Chicago, IL
B) Miami, FL
C) Philadelphia, PA
D) Boston, MA

Question 29

Bus rapid transit has been shown to be a cheaper and faster method of transportation than cars, but it requires

A) induced traffic
B) more suburban sprawl.
C)c. dedicated traffic lanes.
D) higher population density.

Question 30

The city of Bellevue, Washington, is accepting plans for the redevelopment of its downtown area. Below are the outlines of four plans. Which would be closest to the definition of a mixed-use area?
Plan 1: 15 apartments, 2.0 miles from nearest public transportation Plan 2: large grocery store, 0.2 miles from nearest public transportation
Plan 3: 10 condos, 2 office spaces, 4 miles from nearest public transportation
Plan 4: 10 apartments, large grocery store, 2 office spaces, 0.2 miles from nearest public transportation

A) Plan 1
B) Plan 2
C) Plan 3
D) Plan 4

Question 31

Transit-oriented development emphasizes which design feature in urban planning?

A) urban density
B) suburban sprawl
C) modal split
D) public transportation

Question 32

Providence, Rhode Island, decided to relocate the Interstate 195 and Interstate 95 intersection to discourage car traffic and improve walking spaces within the downtown core. This project was named the Iway, cost $610 million, and was completed in 2007. This would be considered

A) pedestrian-oriented development.
B) a planners' dilemma.
C)induced traffic
D) transit-oriented development.

Question 33

In the urban development of St. Louis, Missouri, a large park of over 1,300 acres, named Forest Park, was created in 1876 and placed near the downtown area. This type of development in urban areas is

A) pedestrian-oriented development.
B) green infrastructure.
C) a one-use zone.
D) a metropolis.

Question 34

A city is debating the following changes. Which would you predict to increase the percentage of commuters using bikes?

A) changing zoning laws to allow more single-family homes
B) increasing one-use zones
C) starting a bike-sharing program
D) starting a car ride-sharing program

Question 35

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an organization that provides a voluntary rating of

A) floor-to-area ratio on new buildings.
B) sustainability features of new buildings.
C) green infrastructure in urban areas.
D) suburban sprawl in urban areas.

Question 36

Compare and contrast urban and rural areas, focusing on the density and types of jobs that are available. Also include whether the areas are increasing or decreasing in population.

Question 37

Discuss one urban penalty of the city in which you live or a city near where you live.

Question 38

What is the connection between bright lights syndrome and the development of slums in cities around the world?

Question 39

Describe two problems with suburban sprawl. Give two strategies that suburban communities could implement to reduce these problems.

Question 40

Imagine you have just started your new job as an urban planner for a city. Your first task is to recommend two changes that would improve walkability. What would you suggest and why?