1. The model shown is known as the galactic city model, sometimes described as the contemporary urban model of the North American metropolitan area. Among the features within this model are edge cities. Edge cities are large centers of
development on the urban periphery.
A. Describe TWO factors that led to the development of the galactic city as an urban landscape in North America.
B. Describe TWO ways that the spatial organization of commercial land use is different between the original central
business district (CBD) and an edge city.
C. Describe ONE negative impact of edge city development on the environment.
D. Explain one way sustainable design initiatives or smart growth policies could address negative impacts of edge city
development on the environment.
E. Explain one way in which brownfields can be redeveloped in postindustrial cities.
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Answer and Explanation:

AP® HUMAN GEOGRAPHY 2019 SCORING GUIDELINES

Question 2

A. Describe TWO factors which led to the development of the galactic city as an urban landscape in

7 points: 2 + 2 + 1 + 2

North America. (2 points: 1 description + 1 description)

A1. Decentralization and suburbanization: population shift from the center city into the suburbs A2. Nuclei form around improved transportation that includes highways, interstates, and airports A3. Economic shift from industrialization to service-sector office parks

A4. Economic shift from industrialization or industries to high-technology operations or advanced

manufacturing

A5. Urban growth stimulated specialization and specialized centers outside the central business district

(CBD)

A6. Suburbs took on the roles more typically associated with CBDs

A7. Cheaper, more available, and easier to develop land in suburban areas

A8. Shifts in the spatial organization of production or the spatial organization of manufacturing

A9. Lack of planning or reduced regulation of land use in the urban periphery or unincorporated areas

B. Describe TWO ways that the spatial organization of commercial land use is different between the original CBD and an edge city. (2 points)

 Original CBD

B. 1. High-density buildings and/or land use; skyscrapers

B. 2. Mixed land use (residential, commercial, office)

B. 3. More walkable, pedestrian oriented B. 4. Smaller shops and retail

B. 5. Older, more historic

B. 6. Brownfields

B. 7. Greater access to public transit B. 8. Parking garages

B. 9. Grid pattern

Edge City

a. Low density buildings and/or land use; low-rise office buildings, “campus” architecture

b. Specialized land use; dedicated to office buildings and retailing (little to no residential land use)

c. Pedestrian unfriendly (lack of sidewalks) d. Big box stores

e. Newer construction

f. Greenfield development

g. Dominated by automobile

h. Large, open parking lots

i. Curvilinear or nonlinear pattern

                   C. Describe ONE negative impact of edge city development on the environment. (1 point)

C1. New construction areas, or urban sprawl, may replace open space or farms

C2. Loss of natural and/or animal habitats, introduction of invasive or nonnative species

C3. Dependence on automobile or lack of public transportation can result in increased air pollution and

greenhouse gas emissions or a larger carbon footprint

C4. Impact on land because low-density development occupies more land than a high-density development

(more land used for roads, larger building footprints)

C5. Lack of parks, green spaces, and trees causes heat island effect

C6. Numerous roads and parking lots absorb heat and contribute to the heat island effect

C7. Waste, soil erosion, or pollution from construction sites

C8. More impervious surfaces created by new construction (buildings, roads, parking lots) cause more

storm water runoff and flooding

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