Urban planning

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/urban-planning

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the core regulatory tool?Zoning ordinances dictate land use, building density, height, and other development parameters
2. Why do planners need to think about both people and the environment?They balance making money, protecting nature, and keeping everyone healthy, so the city stays fair and green.
3. How did ancient cities start planning?Old cities in places like Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley made early rules for streets and homes, and Greek planner Hippodamus made a neat grid to keep things organized.

Sustainable Urbanism: Planning and design that aims to minimize environmental impact and maximize social and economic well-being.
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Creating compact, walkable communities centered around public transit stations to reduce car dependency.
Gentrification: The process of renovating and improving a house or district so that it conforms to middle-class taste, often leading to displacement of lower-income residents.