AP Human Geography : Gentrification, Disamenity, & Zones of Abandonment

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Human Geography

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Gentrification, Disamenity, & Zones Of Abandonment

Which of the following terms describes urban renewal that leads to the displacement of the occupying demographic, and is often associated with rising property values in low-income urban areas?

Possible Answers:

Gentrification

Annexation

Colonialism

Filtering

Redlining

Correct answer:

Gentrification

Explanation:

Gentrification describes urban renewal that leads to the displacement of the occupying demographic. It is commonly associated with rising property values in previously low-income urban areas, which may force current residents to move away.

Example Question #1 : Gentrification, Disamenity, & Zones Of Abandonment

Which of these terms is used to describe the process by which an urban neighborhood transitions from housing mostly people of a low-income status to house people of a middle or high-income status?

Possible Answers:

Agglomeration

Acculturation

Conglomeration

Ghettoization

Gentrification

Correct answer:

Gentrification

Explanation:

The term “gentrification” is applied fairly liberally in contemporary American geographical language. It primarily refers to the process by which an urban or suburban neighborhood transitions from housing people of mostly low-income status to housing middle class families. In some expressions it can have racist connotations.

Example Question #1 : Gentrification, Disamenity, & Zones Of Abandonment

Which of these is a notable downside of gentrification?

Possible Answers:

All of these are notable downsides of gentrification.

Inner cities become more crowded and more dangerous

Lower-income families are forced to relocate

Minority families are denied access to education

Loss of economic activity

Correct answer:

Lower-income families are forced to relocate

Explanation:

The term “gentrification” is used to describe the process by which affluent, middle-class families return to inner city neighborhoods from the suburbs. Although generally considered a positive trend because it contributes to urban revitalization, it has some negative consequences. One of these is that lower-income families can no longer afford the rent or cost of living in the neighborhood and are forced to relocate.

Example Question #74 : Cities & Urban Land Use

Gentrification has many supporters as well as critics. Which of these would be a statement that a supporter of gentrification would agree with?

Possible Answers:

Gentrification lowers the amount of rental units available.

Gentrification displaces low-income residents.

Gentrification leads to less available social services.

Gentrification can lead to historic preservation.

Gentrification can increase the homogeneity of the residential population.

Correct answer:

Gentrification can lead to historic preservation.

Explanation:

All of the statements above would be supported by critics of gentrification, except the statement about historic preservation. When gentrification happens, an area that was previously deteriorated gets renovated, and any historical locations within that area get preserved.

Example Question #1 : Gentrification, Disamenity, & Zones Of Abandonment

Which of these is NOT a sign that gentrification is occurring?

Possible Answers:

decrease in local businesses

decrease in low-income population

increase in renters

increase in chain businesses, such as Starbucks

change in racial composition

Correct answer:

increase in renters

Explanation:

When gentrification is occurring, the pattern generally observed is an increase in ownership of homes and a decrease in renters. Since the low-income population moves out and a higher-income population moves in, these people who make more money can afford to actually buy their homes instead of renting.

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