Final answer:
The urban pattern of cities built around a large open space, like the Spanish colonial urban pattern, is a clear example of urban morphology, which has significant impacts on the cultural, political, and social aspects of urban life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The urban pattern described by the student, where a city is built around a large open space, aligns with specific historical models of urban planning. One notable example is the Spanish colonial urban pattern, which often features a central plaza surrounded by important government buildings and a Catholic church. This pattern embodies crucial aspects of urban morphology, a term that refers to the physical layout of a city, which in turn can have significant impacts on its cultural, political, and social life. The concept of urban geography plays a critical role in understanding these impacts, as well as the growth and function of cities throughout history and across geographical locations.
Cities with such central open spaces also connect to concepts of New Urbanism, which seeks to create walkable, sustainable urban environments that integrate business and residential spaces. Urban geography covers the study of these patterns and trends, which are crucial for comprehending the past, present, and future of urban development.