Chapter 13 The Urban Environment: Creating Livable and Sustainable Cities
13.1 Graph and Figure Interpretation Questions
Use Figure 13.1 to answer the following questions.
1) According to the graphs, the energy consumption per passenger mile ________.
A) rises as you get farther from the city center
B) is more than twice as high for automobiles as it is for any other form of transportation
C) is only half as high for bus riders as it is for people in cars
D) is higher for all types of road use than it is for rail use
E) continues to increase for all types of transit
2) The operating costs for transportation ________.
A) clearly show the economies of scale, with large cities costing less per automobile than
small cities
B) show that bus transport is the least expensive when all costs are included
C) indicate that city planners should invest more in parking lots
D) take into account the costs to public health and to the environment of vehicle
emissions
E) indicate that, when all operating costs are included, rail is the most sensible means of
transport
3) Given the energy consumption and operating costs per passenger-mile, one of the best overall
strategies for cities to consider is ________.
A) to create carpool lanes on all major routes
B) to increase affordable, high-rise parking sites in multiple locations throughout the city
C) to create or improve a convenient, affordable, rail transit system
D) to create more suburban communities with work, shopping, and housing in central
locations
E) to improve and increase city bus routes, providing affordable, pleasant buses
13.2 Matching Questions
Match the following.
A) zoning
B) sprawl
C) urban planning
D) suburban communities
E) farming communities
F) regional planning
G) ruralization
H) old urbanism
I) urbanization
J) new urbanism
K) tiered utilization
L) suburbanization
1) The shift from rural to urban living
2) Residential/commercial communities that ring cities just outside city limits
3) The spread of low-density urban or suburban development outward from an urban center
4) Designing neighborhoods on a walkable scale
5) The practice of classifying areas for different types of development and land use
6) Broad land use studies that may include several cities and adjoining non-urban areas
13.3 Scenario-Based Questions
Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.
A military base a few miles from a medium-sized city is being decommissioned. The base is a
large one, sited along a coastline, and includes some small hills, pristine woodlands and
wetlands, streams, a river, and a small lake. There is a railroad spur that connects the base with
the nearby city, as well as a four-lane highway. The base contains housing, schools, a hospital,
shops, and recreational areas for a population of 10,000. The city's options for using, selling, or
leasing the land are numerous, and many groups come forward with proposals.
1) One group proposes to convert the base to a new city suburb, with low-cost housing for
several thousand of the current inner-city residents. A possible major problem with this might
include ________.
A) that there is no guarantee that the buildings are in good condition
B) that the inner-city residents may not be able to fully appreciate the natural areas and
miss the inner-city quality of life
C) the highway traffic to and from the city
D) insufficient recreational opportunities for the new suburb
E) the lack of jobs and lack of transportation to jobs
2) A development group wishes to turn the area into a recreational facility, including an RV
resort, a major-league sports arena, a small-craft harbor for water sports, a hunting lodge, and
off road activities, including motocross racing and dune buggy areas. An important concern
ecological about this proposal would be ________.
A) that the parking facilities would need to be increased
B) that the developer's fees might not be enough to justify the long-term lease
C) the impacts on the woodlands, wetlands, and waterways
D) a need to widen the highway to sustain the increased traffic
E) whether the development group can attract major sports teams to a new arena
3) Members of several local environmental groups propose that nearly all of the buildings be
removed and the area turned into a regional hiking and camping area, with very limited
vehicle access. This will preserve the natural areas while providing recreation for the city
dwellers. One issue that is raised by opponents is ________.
A) will revenue generated from users pay for the changes and the maintenance of such a
facility
B) whether water sports be accessible to all
C) whether there be sufficient space for RV camping
D) that no one will be interested in that kind of recreation
E) that it will not be sustainable
4) The city decides to do further study. You are hired as an assistant city planner who has
expertise in ecological resource management to study the feasibility of several of the
proposals. One of your first tasks will be ________.
A) to find out the zoning currently in place for the base and the required changes
B) to study potential environmental impacts and resource needs
C) mapping out area required by different proposals
D) investigating which proposal will bring in the most city revenue
E) talking to the investors for each proposal to determine if they can afford to fulfill their
plans
5) As an ecological resource manager, your preliminary environmental studies should include
inquiry into whether ________.
A) the financial situation of some potential investors is shaky
B) the city needs to obtain a great deal of revenue from the final choice
C) a new housing development just outside the city limits may increase traffic on the
connecting highway
D) the wetlands include oyster beds and shallow estuaries that are habitats for shrimp,
crabs, and fish which are supporting many local industries
E) the lake should be provided with docks and a marina for sport fishermen
6) You choose two of the proposals as the ones that you will recommend. You do this on the
basis of ________.
A) the projected revenue they will bring in to the city
B) the financial standing of the investors and their proven ability to finish projects
C) the best use of the land for the highest numbers of people
D) the suggestions made to you by members of the city council
E) sustainability of the uses and compatibility with the environment
7) The city makes the very best choice ________.
A) by having an intensive ad campaign funded by the developers and then putting it to a
vote of the citizens
B) after holding open town hall hearings to involve all interested citizens and
stakeholders
C) after taking bids from the developers
D) by turning the decision over to a group of prominent business people from the local
Chamber of Commerce
E) on the basis of the projected revenue from the different choices
Chapter 13 Answer Key
Graphic
1) D
2) E
3) C
Matching
1) I
2) D
3) B
4) J
5) A
6) F
Scenario
1) E
2) C
3) A
4) B
5) D
6) E
7) B