Cities Flashcards
(32 cards)
When did Systems Theory emerge?
1960s
What systems does System Theory cover?
Living systems - animals
Mechanical systems - engines
Physical systems - hydrology, weather
Human systems - cities
What does Systems Theory argue?
A set of common processes can be observed in all four different systems
What is a ‘System?’
Object of study which is a collection of components many of which are related to each other
Cities in a national/global economy is an example of
Components that are coupled to or interact to other systems outside the system of interest
A closed system has…
…no relationships with the external world
An example of a closed system is…
…a car engine
Endogenous
…having an internal cause or origin
Exogenous
…having an external cause or origin
Enitation
Definition of the basic entities in the system we are trying to understand (e.g basic living systems = brain, cardiovascular system, kidneys etc.)
Aggregation
Level of resolution at which we try to represent things in order to understand how things work
Negative feedback
System controls itself so it remains in some state of equilibrium
Positive feedback
System = essentially unstable. Think about an inner city area where quality of life deteriorates, people who can will move out leading to further deterioration
Positive feedback in a city
Inner city area - quality of life deteriorates - people who can will move out - further deterioration
Many socio-economic systems are…
…non linear systems because a change in one variable can lead to a disproportionate change in another (e.g. interest rates & house prices)
Many of the relationships between sub-systems in a city are..
NON-LINEAR
How many types of systems are there? (NAME)
3 (WEAVER)
Simple systems are characterised by…
…a small number of components
Systems of DISORGANISED complexity are characterised by…
…a large number of components but with LOOSE connections between these components
Systems of ORGANISED complexity are characterised by…
…a large number of components with some STRONG connections/couplings between individual variables
Control systems are…
…subsystems within feedback loops – e.g. a cruise control system in a car which uses a combination of brakes and accelerator to maintain a constant speed
Every activity within a city system takes place at…
…a unique spatial point
Spatial interaction
the movement of people, goods, services, information between different places in the city
Primary sector:
Agriculture
Market gardening
Mining
Oil
