1. Building blocks of cities
Chicago History class

2. 14 Building Blocks of Cities
This is a 20-point activity
Start on a new notebook page
Divide your paper into 3 columns as you see below
We will work on filling in the first 2 columns today—you will finish the 3rd column later
Building Block
Explanation
How It Applies to Chicago

3. Building block: PEOPLE #1
Building block: PEOPLE
Explanation: Draws diverse people from all over the world

4. #2 Building block: LOCATION
Explanation: Along major waterways; centrally located

5. Building block: REGION #3
Building block: REGION
Explanation: Focal point of a larger area that is connected to the city

6. #4
Building block: DOWNTOWN
Explanation: Political, economic and cultural heart of the city; often where the city began

7. #5 Building block: TRANSPORTATION
Explanation: Many ways to get around the city because of its size

8. #6 Building block: INFRASTRUCTURE
Explanation: Technical, internal things that make the city work efficiently (water supply, waste management, power and phone lines, etc.)

9. #7
Building block: POLITICS
Explanation: Often a mayor and other elected officials

10. #8 Building block: ECONOMY
Explanation: Many types of businesses, both small and world-famous, contribute to the city’s economy

11. #9
Building block: NEIGHBORHOODS
Explanation: Distinct areas of the city that have their own unique characteristics

12. #10
Building block: PLANNING
Explanation: Thought is put into laying out streets, parks, public places, future growth

13. #11
Building block: DIVERSITY
Explanation: Cities are large—diversity is present in many ways (people, food, things to do)

14. #12
Building block: PROBLEMS
Explanation: Problems arise from typical characteristics of big cities

15. #13
Building block: SUBURBS
Explanation: Cities have ties to neighboring communities, sometimes good/bad

16. #14 Building block: GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
Explanation: Cities are known worldwide; have connections to other places through travel, sports, art, music, famous people, etc.

17. CLASS WORK
In your notebook, complete the “How it applies to Chicago” column of the chart