Week 10 Flashcards
Urbanization (13 cards)
Urbanization
The increase in population living in cities; driven by migration and development. It transforms land use, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
Pros and Cons of Urbanization
Pros: Economic opportunity, efficiency, innovation, public services.
Cons: Pollution, habitat loss, inequality, overcrowding, resource strain.
Impervious Surface, Green and Blue Spaces
Impervious surfaces: Hard areas (e.g., concrete) that prevent water absorption.
Green spaces: Parks, trees, gardens.
Blue spaces: Water bodies like rivers, lakes. Important for cooling, biodiversity, and well-being.
Impacts of Urbanization on the Physical Environment
Soil: Compaction, loss of fertility.
Light: Pollution affects wildlife.
Noise: Disrupts humans and animals.
Climate: Urban heat island effect.
Water: Runoff, flooding, pollution.
How Do Species Respond to Urbanization?
Some adapt (e.g., pigeons, raccoons), some relocate, others decline or go extinct. Urban areas can favor generalist and non-native species.
Slums
Informal, overcrowded urban settlements with poor infrastructure, services, and housing—common in rapidly urbanizing areas of the Global South.
Environmental Justice
Fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens. Focuses on ensuring marginalized communities aren’t disproportionately affected by pollution or lack of green space.
Luxury Effect
Wealthier urban areas tend to have more biodiversity and green space, due to more resources for landscaping and conservation.
Sustainable City
A city designed to minimize environmental impact while enhancing quality of life through efficient transport, renewable energy, green infrastructure, and equity.
Solutions: Nature-Based Solutions, Green Roofs, Innovations
Nature-based solutions: Use ecosystems to address urban challenges (e.g., wetlands for flood control).
Green roofs: Vegetated rooftops that reduce heat and manage stormwater.
Innovations: Smart grids, bike infrastructure, vertical farming.
Urban Planning, Corridors, Urban Designs
Good planning integrates housing, transport, nature, and services.
Wildlife corridors: Help species move across fragmented areas.
Designs: Walkable, mixed-use, green cities promote sustainability.
Biophilic Cities
Cities that integrate nature into daily life to improve mental health, biodiversity, and resilience—through green walls, parks, and natural building materials.
Karina Speziale Lecture
Focused on how wildlife interacts with urban spaces and how conservation can happen within cities—emphasizing coexistence and citizen science.
