湖在城市的北部 or 湖在城市的北边?

Question

I wanted to say that the lake is in the northern part of the city. As 北部 means the northern part, I naturally thought that 湖在城市的北部 would be a correct way of putting it. But some people said that 湖在城市的北边 is the correct answer. As I know that 北边 can also be used to mean the northern part for architectural regions like campus, which also seems to apply to cities, now I am not so sure which one I have to use. Do I have to use 北边 or 北部?

EDIT

My question was more specific. 湖在城市的北部 would mean like that the lake is actually inside the city, but in the northern part of the city. 北边 means north, so I thought that saying 湖在城市的北边 would mean that the lake is to the north of the city, and outside the city. However, I learned that 北边 can also denote that something is inside a specific region if it is talking about an architectural region, which was why I was confused.

So in summary, I was asking if I have to use 北部 or 北边 in this sentence to mean that the lake is in the city, but in the northern part of the city.

Answer 1

You are actually correct.

I wanted to say that the lake is in the northern part of the city. As 北部 means the northern part, I naturally thought that 湖在城市的北部

城市的北边 is often considered outside of the city.

城市的北部 is often considered within the city.

I said often, so it's still possible that someone refers to within the city when they say 城市的北边 in a colloquial context. Sometimes, you have to check them again by asking do you mean within or outside of the city?.

My two cents. Hope it would help.

Answer 2

When you write a serious article, like city planning, or when you say it in a formal situation, 北部 is more used. Example:

1. 中国的北部有辽阔的土地。
2. 这座城市的北部准备规划一个自然公园。

And in our daily life, 北边 is used more often. 北边 is more casual. Example:

1. 学校的北边有家商店。
2. 快看！北边有架飞机飞过来了！

Answer 3

那个湖在这个城市的北部。

你们中国人听到‘这个’或者‘那个’有什么区别马？

English has 'this (object close by)' 'that (object further away)

"that: From c. 1200 opposed to this as indicating something farther off.