Loading...
Essayholic

The Relationship between Urban Economics and Use of Space

1. Introduction:

Mankind have changed their way of living and taking place in the markets and not in the political arena anymore. The studies of urban political economy investigate how people utilize space and how economic activity shapes the use of space. It also studies the consequences of this relationship.

2. Theories of Urban Political Economy:

There are three different theories of Urban Political Economy, Central Place Theory, New Urban Economics, and Urban political ecology.

A. Central Place Theory:
The central place theory was firstly introduced by Walter Christaller in 1933, who was a German geographer. He stated that settlements were created around a market where people come to buy goods and services. Christaller believed that the market was the center of every settlement (town, city or village) and that every settlement had a hinterland, which is the area surrounding the market that is supplied by the market (Christaller, 1933).

B. New Urban Economics:
New urban economics is a field of economics that studies cities and urban areas. It was developed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and it combines aspects of economics, geography, and planning (Glaeser, 2011). New urban economics focuses on three main topics:
-The determinants of city size and growth
-The effects of cities on individual well-being
-The role of cities in the broader economy

C. Urban political ecology:
Urban political ecology is a field of study that looks at how power relations shape the use and abuse of natural resources in cities (Robbins, 2004). It is an interdisciplinary field that draws on insights from political science, anthropology, sociology, geography, economics, and environmental science.

3. The Relationship between Urban Economics and Use of Space:

In simple words we can say that “the way we build our cities reflects what we value as a society”. The way we value things will have an impact on how space is used within our city limits. If a city values business more than anything else then you will likely see a lot of skyscrapers and business centers as this is where businesses thrive. A good example would be Dubai which prioritized business over anything else leading to its rapid development into a global business hub. However, if a city values sustainable development and the environment then you will likely see more green spaces and parks as this is where people can go to escape the concrete jungle and enjoy some fresh air. An example would be Vancouver which has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world for years now due partly to its commitment to sustainable development (Ritchie, 2019).

4. Political Influences on Use of Space:

The way space is used in a city can be deeply influenced by politics. Politics can have a direct impact on the built environment through things like zoning laws and building codes. It can also influence space indirectly through things like taxation policy or infrastructure investment. One way that politics can influence space directly is through zoning laws. Zoning laws are rules that dictate how land can be used within a certain area. They can be used to create segregated neighborhoods or to prevent certain types of development from taking place in an area (Schuetz, 2017). For example, zoning laws could be used to create a business district in a city or to prevent factories from being built in a residential area. Another way that politics can influence space is through the use of building codes. Building codes are regulations that dictate the minimum standards for construction in a certain area. They can be used to ensure that buildings are safe and meet certain aesthetic standards (Schuetz, 2017). Building codes can also be used to influence the type of development that takes place in an area. For example, building codes could be used to require that all new buildings in a certain area are built to a green standard, such as LEED certification.

5. Conclusion:

In conclusion, it is evident that urban economics has a direct impact on the way space is used within our cities. The way we value things as a society will have an impact on how space is utilized. Furthermore, politics can also deeply influence the way space is used through things like zoning laws and building codes. It is important to understand the relationship between urban economics and space in order to create sustainable and livable cities.

FAQ

The economics of cities differ from that of rural areas in a few key ways. One is that cities tend to have a more diversified economy, with many different types of businesses and industries represented. This diversity provides opportunities for specialization and trade, which can lead to increased economic efficiency and productivity. Cities also tend to have higher population densities than rural areas, which can create economies of scale and allow for the development of infrastructure and services that would be impractical in a less densely-populated area. Finally, cities are often hubs for innovation and creativity, due to the concentration of talent and ideas.

Some key factors influencing the development and growth of cities include transportation networks, access to resources, availability of land, labor markets, capital markets, and government policies. Transportation networks are important because they connect cities to other parts of the world, making it possible for people and goods to move into and out of urban areas. Access to resources is another key factor; cities need access to things like water, food, energy, raw materials, etc. in order to function properly. Availability of land is also important; if there is no available land for development then a city will not be able to grow physically larger. Labor markets are important because they provide the workforce that businesses need in order to operate; without a sufficient labor force a city will not be able attract or retain businesses. Capital markets are important because they provide the investment capital needed for business expansion and new construction projects; without adequate investment capital a city will not be able grow economically. Government policies can also influence the development and growth of cities; tax incentives or regulations may encourage or discourage certain types of activity within an urban area.

Political factors can influence the use and development of urban space in a few different ways. One is through zoning laws and regulations, which can dictate what types of activities are allowed to take place in certain areas of a city. Another way is through the allocation of public funds for things like infrastructure projects or economic development initiatives. Finally, political factors can also influence the development of urban space indirectly, through things like trade agreements or immigration policies that affect the movement of people and goods into and out of cities.

Some common issues facing cities today include poverty, crime, inadequate infrastructure, environmental pollution, and social inequality. These issues are often addressed through a combination of government policies and private sector initiatives. Government policies may include things like tax breaks or subsidies for businesses that locate in high-poverty areas, job training programs for residents of those areas, or increased funding for police patrols or after-school programs. Private sector initiatives might include things like corporate philanthropy programs that provide financial support to local organizations working to address these issues, or social entrepreneurship ventures that seek to develop innovative solutions to problems like poverty or lack of access to quality education.

Cite this assignment

Free Essay Samples (January 30, 2023) The Relationship between Urban Economics and Use of Space. Retrieved from https://essayholic.com/the-relationship-between-urban-economics-and-use-of-space/.
"The Relationship between Urban Economics and Use of Space." Free Essay Samples - January 30, 2023, https://essayholic.com/the-relationship-between-urban-economics-and-use-of-space/
Free Essay Samples April 2, 2022 The Relationship between Urban Economics and Use of Space., viewed January 30, 2023,<https://essayholic.com/the-relationship-between-urban-economics-and-use-of-space/>
Free Essay Samples - The Relationship between Urban Economics and Use of Space. [Internet]. [Accessed January 30, 2023]. Available from: https://essayholic.com/the-relationship-between-urban-economics-and-use-of-space/
"The Relationship between Urban Economics and Use of Space." Free Essay Samples - Accessed January 30, 2023. https://essayholic.com/the-relationship-between-urban-economics-and-use-of-space/
"The Relationship between Urban Economics and Use of Space." Free Essay Samples [Online]. Available: https://essayholic.com/the-relationship-between-urban-economics-and-use-of-space/. [Accessed: January 30, 2023]

More Related papers

Top