An Overview of Urban Geography

An Overview of Urban Geography Urban geography is a branch of human geography concerned with various aspects of cities. An urban geographers main role is to emphasize location and space and study the spatial processes that create patterns observed in urban areas. To do this, they study the site, evolution and growth, and classification of villages, towns, and cities as well as their location and importance in relation to different regions and cities. Economic, political and social aspects within cities are also important in urban geography. In order to fully understand each of these aspects of a city, urban geography represents a combination of many other fields within geography. Physical geography, for example, is important in understanding why a city is located in a specific area as site and environmental conditions play a large role in whether or not a city develops. Cultural geography can aid in understanding various conditions related to an areas people, while economic geography aids in understanding the types of economic activities and jobs available in an area. Fields outside of geography such as resource management, anthropology, and urban sociology are also important. Definition of a City An essential component within urban geography is defining what a city or urban area actually is. Although a difficult task, urban geographers generally define the city as a concentration of people with a similar way of life-based on job type, cultural preferences, political views, and lifestyle. Specialized land uses, a variety  of different institutions, and use of resources also help in distinguishing one city from another. In addition, urban geographers also work to differentiate areas of different sizes. Because it is hard to find sharp distinctions between areas of different sizes, urban geographers often use the rural-urban continuum to guide their understanding and help classify areas. It takes into account hamlets and villages which are generally considered rural and consist of small, dispersed populations, as well as cities and metropolitan areas considered urban with concentrated, dense populations. History of Urban Geography The earliest studies of urban geography in the United States focused on site and situation. This developed out of the man-land tradition of geography which focused on the impact of nature on humans and vice versa. In the 1920s, Carl Sauer became influential in urban geography as he motivated geographers to study a citys population and economic aspects with regard to its physical location. In addition, central place theory and regional studies focused on the hinterland (the rural outlying are supporting a city with agricultural products and raw materials) and trade areas were also important to early urban geography. Throughout the 1950s and 1970s, geography itself became focused on spatial analysis, quantitative measurements and the use of the scientific method. At the same time, urban geographers began quantitative information like census data to compare different urban areas. Using this data allowed them to do comparative studies of different cities and develop computer-based analysis out of those studies. By the 1970s, urban studies were the leading form of geographic research. Shortly thereafter, behavioral studies began to grow within geography and in urban geography. Proponents of behavioral studies believed that location and spatial characteristics could not be held solely responsible for changes in a city. Instead, changes in a city arise from decisions made by individuals and organizations within the city. By the 1980s, urban geographers became largely concerned with structural aspects of the city related to underlying social, political and economic structures. For example, urban geographers at this time studied how capital investment could foster urban change in various cities. Throughout the late 1980s until today, urban geographers have begun to differentiate themselves from one another, therefore allowing the field to be filled with a number of different viewpoints and focuses. For example, a citys site and situation is still regarded as important to its growth, as is its history and relationship with its physical environment and natural resources. Peoples interactions with each other and political and economic factors are still studied as agents of urban change as well. Themes of Urban Geography Although urban geography has several different focuses and viewpoints, there are two major themes that dominate its study today. The first of these is the study of problems relating to the spatial distribution of cities and the patterns of movement and links that connect them across space. This approach focuses on the city system. The second theme in urban geography today is the study of patterns of distribution and interaction of people and businesses within cities. This theme mainly looks at a citys inner structure and therefore focuses on the city as a system. In order to follow these themes and study cities, urban geographers often break down their research into different levels of analysis. In focusing on the city system, urban geographers must look at the city on the neighborhood and citywide level, as well as how it relates to other cities on a regional, national and global level. To study the city as a system and its inner structure as in the second approach, urban geographers are mainly concerned with the neighborhood and city level. Jobs in Urban Geography Since urban geography is a varied branch of geography that requires a wealth of outside knowledge and expertise on the city, it forms the theoretical basis for a growing number of jobs. According to the Association of American Geographers, a background in urban geography can prepare one for a career in such fields as urban and transportation planning, site selection in business development and real estate development.

OOAD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

OOAD - Essay Example This new booking system will provide facility to computerize the record of the booking of customers into function (event) rooms or bedrooms; and ensures that a room is made available for further bookings as soon as it is vacated. This new system will be implemented to provide the reception more enhanced services. Through this overall customer services will improve that is the main aim in any business. This system will be based on the centralized databases system that will be used to record and manage daily working and management. This system will present a more enhanced working and handling of the overall booking and reservation of the hotel rooms and halls. This system will comprise the client and admin levels. The client system will run at reception to provide the receptionist help regarding the dealing and customer management. This level of the system will allow to reserve, relies, pay and check the overall room’s status and activities. The level will also generate customer slip for the payment. The admin level of the system will be handled by the administration. This level will be used to access the daily working, room’s status and profit. Here management will also be able to draw the daily monthly or any periodic reports. In this section I will present the main use cases of this system. This way of system design will provide a better overview of the system activates and responses. I have used smart draw for the drawing of this uses cases diagram. This section is about the analysis of the use-case model that drives other models in object-oriented analysis and design. The object-oriented technique with Unified Modeling Language is initiated by the system stakeholders as well as the working actions those are required. To demonstrate the on the whole behavior we build up use case model. This way of system modeling presents the indispensable circumstances in which user uses and interacts with the system and generate important

Children car seat injury in Abudahbi (program plan) Research Proposal

Children car seat injury in Abudahbi (program plan) - Research Proposal Example When it comes to kids in the car, the motto is ‘No belt - no start’,† (Khan, 2014). The proposed aim of the study is to investigate how children car safety is perceived by residents in Abu Dhabi and whether car seat safety regulations for children are implementable or not in their views. Research works in past have indicated that use of seat belts in car significantly lower mortality rates in traffic accidents. Keeping in view the significance of seat belts, many developed and developing countries have made it mandatory for adults and children to wear seat belts at all times while moving in a car. Researchers like Zhu, et al. (2007), Daly, et al. (2006), Durbin, et al. (2005) have all found seat belts usage to be extremely effective in reducing deaths and injuries resulting from road accidents. In UAE the requirement for drivers and front seat occupant to wear seat belt was implemented in 1998; however, no such regulations exist with specific regard to children sitting on rear seats of a car (Brass, et al., 2008; Abu Dhabi Government, 2014; Time Out Abu Dhabi, 2012; Time Out Abu Dhabi, 2011). As per the statistics provided in different newspapers, road accidents and most of the resulting injuries have been associated with not wearing seat belts by the passengers. In this regard, The National reported in 2013 that â€Å"A study at Al Ain Hospital found the most common cause of head injury was a  road traffic collision  (67.1 per cent) †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Bell, 2013). Apart from this, Dr. Ashraf Hefny, who is a specialist surgeon in the Al Rahba Hospital (Abu Dhabi), the death rate from traffic accidents in the UAE is 37 to 100,000 of population. This rate is considered a very rate when compared globally with other countries (Bell, 2013). In addition to this, The National reported that a study of car accidents in Al Ain reported that about 98 percent of passengers involved in a car accident did not wear seat

Is skill in implementing coordinated information technology really a Essay

Is skill in implementing coordinated information technology really a competitive advantage for a firm Why or why not - Essay Example nt of the effective human resource and sphosticated technology establshment is simlimy intended for taking a better competetive edge or is also aimed at improving the business, operations managemnt, business managnet and corporate processes handling. This paper will analyze and assess the answer of this question. This paper will also outline differetnt aspects of information technology implementation regarding the corporate business opertions enhancment or simply taking a better competetive edge. Data are collection of unprocessed facts demonstrating events occurring in firms or the physical environment prior to they have been structured and organized into a structure that people can identify and make use of these facts. Data can include text, numbers, images and videos. On the other hand, information refers to data that have been processed or transformed into a form that is valuable and functional to human beings (Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat, 2005, p. 6; Norton, 2001, p. 4; Laudon & Laudon, 1999, p. 7). Oz Effy (2008) states that decision making and problem solving both require information. Decision making is vital part of everyone’ life, as people perform theirs tasks, play games, communicate or do anything they need information. In a corporation gathering the accurate information efficiently, storing properly so that it could be utilized and manipulated when needed, also making use of it to assist the firm or individuals to accomplish personal or business objectives . Therefore, the main intention of information technology implementation is to facilitate and support the above mentioned areas. We can utilize and apply these understanding and information for getting the success in all the areas. In a corporation an information system (IS) encompasses hardware, data, telecommunications, activities, software, and workers. Oz Effy (2008) mentioned that, an increasing number of ISs are modules of a huge enterprise system, like ERP or SCM system (Oz, 2008; Laudon &

Good Ol’ Southern Food: The Ins and Outs of Preparing a Southern Feast

Good Ol’ Southern Food: The Ins and Outs of Preparing a Southern Feast There is just something about Southern Cooking, something about the women who’ve mastered it, and something about what it represents. A Southern Feast represents time spent in careful preparation and an almost entire region of people that didn’t get the memo about cholesterol. Southern cooking brilliantly displays a community that still remains untouched by at least some of the craziness in the world around us. Things move a little slower in the South, and one of those things is the cooking. Preparing a Southern feast is a job. It is hard work, and it takes some time, but that is part of the charm. This cooking is the kind that allows for sitting around canning beans and fussing over biscuits. In the way that baking Christmas cookies brings families together, Southern cooking does as much. It can be done, with ease and grace, not to mention great fellowship when a meal is prepared with the ones you love. I believe the basis of any southern meal is a good amount of lard. We are not really talking olive oil here, but actual lard from a pig. If done correctly lard should be found in at least three of the main dishes. Equally important are the homegrown veggies. No meal, southern or any other, for that matter would be complete without some good homegrown food. Now, a true genius can use the lard and veggies, but we will get to that later. Once you have your veggies and main dish, complementary side items like biscuits and gravy, and sweet tea make the meal complete. The Main Element: In most circles, you will find the main element to be a meat. In most southern circles, you will find that meat to be fried, be it southe... ...nd nutmeg v Stack 2 piecrusts; gently roll or press together. Fit pastry into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. v Toss together apple and lemon juice in a large bowl. Combine brown sugar and next 4 ingredients; sprinkle over apple mixture, and toss to coat. Spoon into prepared piecrust. v Roll remaining piecrust to press out fold lines; place over filling. Fold edges under, and crimp; cut slits in top for steam to escape. v Bake at 450 ° for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 °, and bake 35 minutes. Fried Apples 12-15 Golden Delicious Apples  ½ -3/4 Cups Sugar 1tsp Cinnamon  ½ stick of butter v Wash and Cut apples into bite size pieces v Combine Sugar, Cinnamon, and Butter in skillet v Add apples v Stir occasionally until apples are tender v Serve hot or later chilled

Government Support of E-Business Essay

In this assignment I am going to explain how the government supports the development of e-business and I will use example to support my answers. Also I am going to produce a personal development plan to aid an individual to prepare for increased use of business online. Government e-commerce regulations about online business The E-commerce Regulations apply to businesses which sell goods or services to businesses or consumers through a number of different ways. These can include though the internet, by email or Short Message Service. Also the e-commerce regulation also includes advertisement through the internet, emails or SMS. The e-commerce regulations do not cover businesses who advertise through direct marketing by phone or fax. The regulations specify the vital information which businesses must give to customers when you sell online. The regulation provides several guidelines on advertising and promotions. â€Å"Commercial communications† must: * Be clearly recognisable as such * Say on whose behalf they are sent * Clearly identify promotional offers and any qualifying conditions. Government support for online businesses The government currently offers free training and helpful advice to businesses who are adapting to online business. Business Link is the government’s online resource for businesses. Business links website is very helpful which provides individuals and businesses with advice for setting up, funding and many other things. Government support for staff in an online business The government supports staff through providing employees with essential training such IT, maths and English qualifications. Learn direct provides individuals with these qualifications helping them to run their online business. Also there is a regulation such as the consumer protection distance selling regulations which is a type of protection applied to goods sold to a consumer by an individual through phone, mail order, the internet and digital TV. This regulation gives the right to receive clear information about the goods and a service being given before the 7 day cooling period is over. Security and data protection issues to be considered Several issues needs to be considered, the data protection act 1988, this is a type of law that protects the processing of personal information which is held on identifiable individuals. Many businesses need to comply with this act if they need to process and handle their customers personal data, this means that the business must be very open and not secretive about the use of the valuable data and make sure that they follow the certain rules for processing the information. Businesses can get support for security and data protection from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which both offers online help and support. How the Government has helped to prepare customers for an online operation of a business The government has helped significantly to prepare customers for the online operation of a business by providing them with guidance from many different government funded businesses such as business link which is a very useful website to use for businesses which are just starting out online. Their website provides each business with nearly everything which will support them with their first few months of trade as an online business. Task 2- P7 Personal development plan- Unfamiliar issues when trading online What training is needed? IT training such as Microsoft office for programmes such as excel so that invoices and sales can be recorded on to a database. Microsoft word for any administrative letters can be created to send out to consumers and other businesses. Emails can be improved by showing the correct way of how to address emails in a formal manner, this well help to increase the standard of communication between online customer relations.   Microsoft outlook for keeping up-to-date with customer orders and the day to day running of the company, any important notes and messages can be left securely on Microsoft outlook.   The companies own software- employees must be shown how to use any company software so that they can source for product information about any orders which comes through any employee can deal with it and get it shipped out as quickly as possible. Searching for information on the internet, this is basically searching for the correct information which can help a business carry out their work. For example a home delivery company will need to search for customers addresses so that they know where they are going. What will the employee do after they have completed the training? Once the employee has completed the training courses they will become more multi skilled, this means that they will be able to carry out other activities within the business and become more confident when carrying out each job as they will know what to do. What do I have to do to help me meet this training need? The most important reason is to support each employee who is gaining extra training; this will make them more committed to carry out their job to the highest standard. To meet this training need all the courses need to be arranged so that they don’t clash with any important meetings or arrangements. A certain number of employees must attend each class. How long will it take to complete the training? I think that the training will take a few months to complete, as the training could be spread out so that each topic is covered in detail. How important is it this for the business and its development? This is important to the business and for its development because their level of customer service will increase due to employees knowing what to do and customer’s orders can be dealt with accordingly. Searching for product information for enquiries can easily be done as they will know how to use the company software to search the database. Whose support maybe needed to ensure that I am successful in my training? Business link will be a good support which will be needed if the training courses are successful as they provide you with extra information and advice on what you can do next. Also employees will be good supports as I am provide training courses for their benefits and for them to become more successful in their workplace. They need to know why I am providing the training courses and how it will affect their work. What difficulties might I have to overcome to be able to carry out this training? Employees may not want to attend the training courses so they won’t be able to carry out any extra work. To overcome this I may have to advertise the training courses and people who want to learn extra skills can attend the courses. In able to carry out the training it may have to be in employee’s spare time as the company may not be able to accommodate these courses during the working day as there won’t be enough staff there to carry out the day to day activities. Conclusion Overall in this assignment I have explained how the government supports the development of e-business, I have given some examples to support each point. Also I have produced a personal development plan to help an individual prepare for the increase use of e-business. Bibliography http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1075385095&type=RESOURCES http://www.learndirect.co.uk/about/about-who/what-we-do/ Power points on Moodle Richards, Catherine; Dransfield, Rob; Goymer, John. BTEC Level 3 National Business, Book 1. Harlow, Essex, GBR: Pearson Education Limited, 2010. p 421. http://site.ebrary.com/lib/yeovil/Doc?id=10386311&ppg=431 Copyright  © 2010. Pearson Education Limited. All rights reserved.

Jamie Batenhorst Is Titled As A “Human Resource Generalist”

Jamie Batenhorst is titled as a â€Å"Human Resource Generalist† at Buckle’s corporate office. Through an interview, I was able to understand a bit more about the human resources department at Buckle and get a quick glimpse into how their corporation is run. Buckle is a retail clothing company that originated in Kearney, Nebraska. The corporation as grown nationally, having over 400 retail stores around the United States. Because the company started as a small clothing store, many changes have been made over the years. Included in those changes was the addition of a human resources department, added only within last 5 years. Up until such time, individual human resource functions were handled in each department that they loosely related to. I†¦show more content†¦All too often, misunderstandings happen due to technology. So for Jaime, being able to interpret a situation and respond in a way that is easily readily is very important. Another big part of her job i s training of managers. She said that she is constantly making phone calls to managers around the country working on their skills. â€Å"Role playing,† is the term Jaime used to describe what she does with store managers. She said that far too often managers are placed in situations where they are unsure how to handle in a way that the Buckle Corporation would want them to. By presenting managers with situation and asking them â€Å"how would you handle this?† it keeps the managerial teams proactive. She also mentioned that twice a year, all managers are asked to please come to Kearney for a formal evaluation and training weekend called â€Å"manager meetings.† This gives the generalists a chance to meet everyone face to face and get a feel for what they are actually like as a manager, rather than continuously having phone conversations. I did ask if is difficult not being able to evaluate the managers in person and see how things are run. She assured me that th e steps they take to talk with employees and managers on the phone are a big help. At manager meetings, individuals are graded on how they interact with others, how they respond to situations and tough questions, and how they present themselves. This give the Buckle human resource team insight as to how they are running