Rails Basic

Introduction

Lesson Overview

OBJECTIVES

Explain the processes of urbanization and suburbanization

Compare urban models (concentric zone, sector, multiple nuclei, galactic)

Analyze the challenges facing cities in developed and developing countries

Evaluate the sustainability of different urban designs

Understand gentrification and its impacts on communities

AP Human Geography Standards: Unit 6 — Cities and Urban Land-Use Patterns and Processes (12-17% of AP exam)

Essential Question

Who are cities designed for?

Utah State Standards Alignment

Part 1 Four Urban Models (20 min)

Model 1 — Concentric Zone (Burgess, 1925)

* CBD (downtown) in center

* Rings transition zone (industry/poor), working class, middle class, commuter zone

* Based on 1920s Chicago — cars weren't dominant yet

Model 2 — Sector Model (Hoyt, 1939)

* Wedges radiating from center along transportation routes

* Wealthy live along desirable routes (high ground, waterfront)

Model 3 — Multiple Nuclei Model (Harris & Ullman, 1945)

* Multiple centers (downtown, suburbs, airports, industrial parks)

* Reflects the rise of the automobile and suburbanization

Model 4 — Galactic City (Edge City Model)

* Suburban downtowns — office parks, shopping malls, residential subdivisions

* The modern American city — sprawl, highways, and car dependency

Part 2 World Cities Ranking (10 min)

Show students the Global Cities Index

Alpha++ London, New York

Alpha+ Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Tokyo, Dubai, Paris

Alpha Sydney, Los Angeles, Toronto, Chicago, Mumbai

Beta San Francisco, Washington DC, Berlin, Madrid

Activity Why are these cities 'global'? What do they have in common? (financial centers, airports, universities, corporate headquarters, cultural institutions)

Discussion What would it take for a city like Salt Lake City or Denver to become a global city?

Phase 01

AP FRQ Practice

Exit Ticket (10 minutes):

Respond to ONE:

Option A: Compare the Concentric Zone Model and the Galactic City Model. What changed in American cities between 1925 and today?

Option B: Define gentrification and explain ONE positive and ONE negative impact it has on urban neighborhoods.

Option C: What makes a city a 'global city'? Identify ONE global city and explain TWO reasons for its status.

Phase 02

Hook: Design Your Dream City

Student Activity Block

In 5 minutes, sketch a map of your ideal city. Include:
1. Where do people live (rich, middle class, poor)?
2. Where are businesses and factories?
3. Where is public transportation?
4. Where is green space?
5. Where is the airport?

Compare maps as a class. Discuss:

Did anyone put poor neighborhoods next to rich neighborhoods? Why or why not?

Did anyone NOT include a poor neighborhood? Is that realistic?

What does your city say about your values?

Point

Key Cities are physical representations of social and economic structures. The way a city is laid out tells you who has power, who has money, and who has access to resources.

Phase 03

Gentrification: Renewal or Displacement?

Case Study: The Gentrification Debate

Scenario: A run-down neighborhood near downtown starts attracting artists and young professionals because rents are cheap. New coffee shops, restaurants, and galleries open. Property values rise. Long-time residents — mostly low-income and minority — can no longer afford to live there.

Arguments FOR Gentrification:

Buildings are renovated, crime goes down

New businesses create jobs

Property values rise (good for homeowners who stay)

Cities get more tax revenue for schools and services

Arguments AGAINST Gentrification:

Long-time residents are pushed out (displacement)

Cultural identity of the neighborhood is erased

Affordable housing disappears

Benefits go to newcomers, not existing residents

Think-Pair-Share: Is gentrification good or bad? Can cities encourage development while protecting existing residents? How?

AP Connection: Gentrification is a major AP topic — define it, explain its causes (investment, urban renewal, changing demographics), and evaluate its effects.

Lesson Finale

Exit Ticket

AP Human Geography Unit 6: Cities and Urban Land-Use (12-17% of exam)

Key Concepts:

Urbanization, suburbanization, counter-urbanization, re-urbanization

Central Business District (CBD)

Gentrification and filtering

Urban sprawl and New Urbanism

Megacities and metacities

Smart growth and sustainable cities

Resources:

The Cultural Landscape (Rubenstein), Chapter 12-13

AP Classroom — Topic 6.1-6.12

UN World Cities Report 2024

Cities & Urban Land Use