The physical characteristics that make up a city, including its size and shape, population density and how well the city is arranged.
Physical factors affecting urban form
Topography, water, natural resources, land type
Human factors affecting urban form
Urban planning (planned or unplanned expansion), infrastructure, land value
Town centre mixed developments
Areas where land use is mixed - eg luxury flats, offices, shops, entertainment facilities. (Residential, commercial and leisure combined). Developments are planned by local councils often with private investment.
Cultural and heritage quarters
Areas which focus on the history or character of a city. Often developed by local councils to regenerate former industrial areas.
Gentrified Areas
The buying and renovating of properties often in more run-down areas by wealthier individuals
Fortress developments
Developments with lots of security such as CCTV, guards and high walls. Designed around security, protection, surveillance and exclusion. Very divisive.
Edge cities
New areas of offices, shops and leisure facilities that develop close to major transport links where land is cheaper. Largely as a result of urban sprawl,
Post-modern western city
An urban area with a more fragmented urban form, less uniform , eclectic are varied architecture, planning prioritises aesthetics, greater ethnic diversity.
