Urban places are like urban jungles - teeming with life and activities. They can't be defined just by one thing, but here are some key features:

• Population size: Lots of people living close together. Like the crowded mosh pit at a concert!
• Specific features: Different zones for different activities. The CBD (Central Business District) is the heart of the city, kind of like Times Square in New York, and there are also residential zones where people live.
• Predominant economic activities: Cities aren't just for living; they're for working too. So, there's manufacturing and services like hospitals and schools.
• Administrative function: All cities need some form of local government to keep things running smoothly. It's like the backstage crew at a theater!

The site is the actual land where a city is built. Think of it as the stage where all the action happens. The situation is the relationship the city has with its surroundings - the rest of the theater.

Historically, physical conditions were crucial for the choice of a settlement site. Imagine being the first settlers and having to decide where to build a home:

• Water access: Like making sure you're close to a bar at a festival!
• Flood-free zones: Nobody likes a soggy sandwich.
• Level sites: Flat lands are easier to build on but not so good for defense.
• Local resources: Like being near a food truck at the festival.
• Sunlit, south-facing slopes: Everyone loves a bit of sun.
• Fertile soils for farming: Fresh local produce, anyone?
• Potential for trade: Similar to being near the festival exit for easy post-gig getaways.

Cities often sprouted around resources, like Johannesburg and Bloemfontein, which grew due to their mineral resources. Some cities, like New York, grew due to trade along rivers.

Cities have different roles. Some are industrial powerhouses, some are hubs for services like healthcare, education, and entertainment, and all have residential areas.

Just as how the funfair at the festival changes over time, the proportion of each land use in a city varies over time. Some cities, like Brasilia in Brazil and Canberra in Australia, are planned for specific functions.

In an urban area, land is used in a few key ways:

• Residential areas: Where you crash after a long day at the festival.
• Industrial zones: Where all the festival gear gets made.
• Services: Education, healthcare, retail. They're like the info and medical tents.
• Open spaces: Like the free-roaming area of the festival.
• Recreational spaces: Where you play and relax, like the game stalls and chillout zones.

And, just like a multi-story funfair, cities also use vertical zoning, having different functions on different floors of a building.