地理漫步·世界地理英语30篇（6）

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城市如生命体生长：城市扩张的模式

Cities rarely grow in perfect circles; instead, they spread along transportation corridors like highways and railways.
Older neighborhoods often cluster around historic centers, while newer suburbs develop farther out with lower density.
Gentrification transforms industrial waterfronts or inner-city districts into high-rent residential areas.
Megacities like Tokyo and Lagos expand rapidly due to both natural population growth and rural migration.
Urban sprawl consumes farmland and increases car dependence, raising emissions and infrastructure costs.
Some cities now adopt compact development policies to protect green belts and improve public transit access.
Informal settlements—often called favelas or kampungs—arise where housing demand outpaces planning capacity.
Smart growth strategies encourage mixed-use zoning so people can live, work, and shop within walking distance.
Satellite images clearly show how cities change shape over decades, revealing economic and policy shifts.
Studying urban form helps planners design healthier, fairer, and more resilient cities for everyone.