World Geography:

Urban Patterns and Interactions

Grade 12, College (CGU 4C1)

Course Overview

The United Nations Population Fund predicts that by 2030, 60% of the world’s population will live in cities. This course examines cities around the world and the social, economic, and physical factors that shape them. Students will develop an understanding of the dynamic and interrelated nature of the urban habitat, and as part of their culminating task will create an “ideal city”.

Units of Study

Unit 4: What Makes Cities Grow?

• Why are cities growing?
• Impact of immigration patterns
• Impact of population growth
• Cultural convergence and divergence

Unit 5: Consequences of Urbanization

• Issues of conflict and compromise
• Cities as centres of opportunity, persecution, discrimination, and alienation
• Environmental Issues

Unit 6: Healthy Urban Futures

• Solutions to urban patterns
• Guidelines for a healthy city
• Urban role models

Unit 1: What is a City?

• Perception of “cities”
• Definitions of the city
• Urbanization and urban growth
• Significance and function of the city
• Livability of cities

Unit 2: Urban Expansion

• History of urban expansion
• Urban growth patterns
• Urban sprawl
• Solving the problem of urban sprawl

Unit 3: Urban Structures

• Population density and efficiency
• Land use patterns and urban habitats
• Services and infrastructure
• Global realities
• Sustainable solutions