Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
homeconstructionandurbansprawl.Canadians,incontrast,donotgetthesametaxbenefit.Theircit-
ies also sprawl, but generally not to the extent of those on the U.S. side of the border. Several factors
explain that, and mortgage deductibility is one of them.
Looking Inside the City
In addition to sites and sizes, cities around the world vary dramatically in their internal physical ap-
pearance. Numerous cities in Europe, North Africa, and Asia, for example, contain an “old town,”
characterized by traditional architectural styles, and a citadel, cathedral, or mosque that towers above
historic low-rise buildings. In other cities, strict building codes produce an air of distinctness. Thus,
while many modern cities are defined by center-city skyscrapers, Paris and Venice, to take just two of
many examples, have uniformly low skylines that preserve historic character and visual dominance
of leading landmarks.
Internal physical appearances of cities may also vary as a function of wealth or income of residents.
Urban neighborhoods of the rich and poor not only look different, but also tend to occupy different
locations in the cities of different countries. Thus, in many developed countries, the urban poor tend
to live in older housing in the inner city. The wealthy, in contrast, generally tend to live in the suburbs
or urban fringe. In many developing countries, however, the pattern tends to be the opposite. That
is, the poor tend to concentrate in slums that are located on the urban periphery while the wealthy
are located much closer to the urban core. Accordingly, go up into the hills on the outskirts of many
American cities and you are likely to see expensive homes that afford a great view. Do the same in
most large Latin American cities, and you are likely to see some of the worst slums and shanties ima-
ginable.
Distinct areas of commercial, industrial, residential, and other kinds of land use came into being as
cities grew. Their extent and arrangement vary substantially in different cities in different countries.
In the United States, the factors promoting urban growth are largely the same throughout the country.
To a fairly substantial extent, therefore, American cities exhibit a certain sameness with respect to
their structure.
Specifically, at the center there tends to be a discernible “downtown” dominated by relatively tall
building and mostly non-residential land use. On its fringe are high-density residential neighborhoods
characterized by high-rise apartments and attached multi-family dwellings. As distance from down-
town increases, population density generally decreases. Detached housing becomes the norm and lot
sizes increase. Mixed here and there amidst suburbia are shopping centers of varying sizes, with oc-
casional full-blown shopping malls on the periphery of larger cities.
