Density and Land Use (College Board AP® Human Geography): Study Guide
Land use patterns & culture
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
Land use patterns & technology
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
Land use patterns & development
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
Examiner Tips and Tricks
When preparing to answer prompts, be sure to pay attention to thematic vocabulary. A question is likely to ask specifically for economic, political, social, cultural, demographic, spatial, or environmental causes or effects. If a question asks for the environmental effects of urban sprawl, for example, you do not want to reply with a spatial effect, such as the growth of suburbs. Instead, you want to focus on an environmental response, such as increased pollution from automobile use.
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