CUE 4 - Urban issues Flashcards
What is economic inequality
Unequal distribution of money amongst the population
Where is economic inequality higher
In the developing world
Why is this?
They lack resources to support the poorest citizens, whereas most developed nations have welfare states which provide basic services and income for those who are financially struggling
What 3 issues can economic inequalities cause in cities
- Political and social unrest
- Rise in crime, drug use and violence
- Health problems
What do cities tend to be
Culturally diverse
WHat does it mean to be culturally diverse
Have a wide mix of people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds
WHat are the benefits of a city being culturally diverse
It enriches the cities character and increase tolerance, while cultural events and ethnic quarters within a city attract tourists, boosting a cities economy
What 3 problems does cultural diversity create
- Tensions between different groups can lead to violence
- Increased pressure on services eg - schools knowing children who don’t speak English
- Minority communities can feel isolated and politically under - represented
What else can cities with high diversity experience
Social segregation
What is social segregation
Different groups are separated from each other, people can be concentrated to a specific area of the city
Why can be social segregation be voluntary
Followers of a particular religion choosing to settle close to their place of worship
What 4 issues can social segregation lead to
- Lack of integration between different groups causing discrimination
- People in some areas have less jobs and education
- In developing countries poor areas lack access to facilities
- Can lead to anxiety and have negative impacts on health and life expectency
What 5 strategies are used to reduce poverty and economic inequality
- Improving transport systems make it easier for the poor to get jobs
- Subsiding the construction of affordable housing helps less wealthy buy property
- Introducing minimum wage schemes helps stabilise wage inequalities
- Governments offer subsidies for new companies, increasing local employment opportunities
- Many developing countries have introduced upgrading schemes to slums. Providing roads, sanitation, drainage and water supply
What are 4 strategies to encourage social and cultural integration
- Governments encourage political participation of minority groups eg - by voting. This means people have the opportunity to influence decision-making
- Governments pass laws such as preventing companies from discriminating against employees because of race
- New developments can include luxury homes and lower-cost housing to reduce the divisions between rich and poor
- Communities can help ease racial tensions. EG - By involving different groups to clean racist graffiti
What 3 main issues does London have
- Economic Inequality
- Cultural diversity
- Social segregation
What has happened to the rich and poor since the 1980s
The gap has widened
Whats the average annual income in Kengisnton and Chelsea
£135,000
Whats the average income in Newham
Less than £35,000
What % of London live in poverty and why
25% - Low wages and few job opportunities
What has happened to many inner city areas and why
They’ve been gentrified - forcing poorer residents out the area
WHy is London culturally diverse
More than 50% of people aren’t white British, proportions of ethnic minorities differ between boroughs - ethnic segregation becomes an issue
What is hate crime based on in London
Race and religon
Give an example of this
12 months before July 2015 there were over 80 anti - Muslim incidents
What is social segregation based on in London
Age and c lass
Why is this an issue
London residents have less interaction with people of different classes and age groups than people elsewhere in the country, this can lead to some residents feeling isolated
What 4 strategies have been put in place to tackle these issues
- From 2016 the London living wage increased higher compared to the rest of the country. The aim is to increase income and social mobility in deprived areas
- London mayor plans to build more affordable housing - allowing poorer people to stay in more affluent areas
- Police are working to tackle hate crime, by encouraging people to report it and providing support to families
- Some charities have called for better access to English language classes to help immigrants adjust to life in London and with the aim of increasing integration
What is Sao Paulo in Brazil
An emerging economy that has issues of economic inequality and social segregation
How is economic inequality high?
The richest 10% earn nearly 40 times more than the poorest 10%
WHats Sao Paulo like for the poorest residents
They live in slums - 80,000 people live in Paraisopolis. It has high crime rates, poor sanitation and a high incidence of illnesses like Cholera. The Flavelas lack educational facilities which limits job options and social mobility
What is Sao Paulo like for the richest residents
They live in the southwest. They have greenspace, better healthcare and access to amenities like luxury shops and restaurants. These areas have larger numbers of white immigrants but the lowest proportion of black people
What 2 strategies have been put in place to tackle these issues
- In 2016 minimum wages were increased by 12% to increase income for the poorest workers
- In 2001 the government passed a law that allowed flavelas to be seen as legit residential areas. Eg - 10,000 new homes are currently being built to replace slum housing or housing in high risk areas
