Density and Land Use (College Board AP® Human Geography)

How land is used and developed reflects a society’s:

• larger cultural influences

• norms

• values

• traditions 

The way land is used influences how a city will develop over time

Land use will reflect the things a culture prioritizes and deems to be important

• For example, historic towns often have specific features, such as a central market that reflects cultural values

• Mixed-use neighborhoods in many European cities reflect the importance of walkability in urban lifestyles

Ethnic enclaves also form based on cultural patterns, and these influence the type of housing and businesses found in the neighborhood

The design and construction of residential and commercial buildings are impacted by:

• the availability of technologies such as building materials

• advanced electrical or plumbing systems

The availability of these items may be different based on the level of development found in the society

Robust public transportation tends to mean people will live within commuting distance of the city center and increases population density in urban areas

Extensive construction of highways decentralizes urban development and leads to the development of extensive suburbs which have lower population density

High-density housing is characterized by high-rise, multi-unit construction. 

• According to the bid-rent theory, land is more expensive and scarce in this area, which increases population density

• High-density housing has a large number of people per unit of land

• Central areas of cities are examples of high-density housing

Medium-density housing refers to residential construction that is between single-family detached homes and multiunit high-rise buildings 

• Townhomes are typical of medium-density housing

• Medium-density housing can be found in the outer rings or more wealthy neighborhoods of urban areas

Low-density housing refers to residential single-family homes with significant space between homes 

• A low number of people per unit of land live in these areas

• Low-density housing is found in suburbs and exurbs

Infilling is the building of new structures on land that is not being used or is underused

• This increases the density of a city

• It can reduce urban sprawl and reduce housing costs

Urban growth includes the expansion of cities outward, leading to new residential construction

Urban decline refers to the neglect or decay that affects older areas of the central city as new areas grow

• To combat urban decline, cities often pursue revitalization programs

  • These may include the repurposing of vacant or under-used urban land for new development

  • These programs also advocate for higher-density housing and the reduction of urban sprawl