Social And Economic Issues In Urban Areas (Leeds And Rio) Flashcards
What is economic inequality?
Economic inequality is the unequal distribution of money amongst a population.
Economic inequalities are higher in the developing world than in developed countries.
Because developing countries lack the resources to support their poorest citizens, whereas most developed nations have welfare states which provide basic services and income for people who are struggling financially.
What are the reasons for segregation?
Housing - wealthier groups can chose to pay more for housing well away from poor areas. Poorer groups typically have far less choice where to live.
Changing environments - housing neighbourhoods change overtime, former poorer areas have been gentrified making them wealthy. Houses built for larger families in Victorian time are now too big for average UK family.
Ethnic dimension - When immigrants first arrive they may suffer discrimination in the job market leading to unemployment or employment in low-paid jobs. Consequently, they can only afford cheap housing and therefore they cluster in poor areas. These ethnic groupings then tend to continue into later generations.
What issues can economic inequality cause?
Political and social unrest
A rise in crime, drug use and violence
Health problems
What is the index of multiple deprivation (IMD)?
Is a UK government qualitative study measuring deprivation at small-area level across England.
Overall measure of multiple deprivation experienced by people living in the area.
Every neighbourhood is ranked according to its level of deprivation relative to that of other areas
What are economic issues in Leeds?
Leeds has third highest levels of inequalities in the uk
the gap between rich and poor is growing each year. There are high concentrations of poverty in the inner south and east areas of Leeds such as: Beeston; Holbeck; Hunslet and Burmantofts.
22% of primary school children in Leeds don’t speak English as first language
What are economic issues in Rio?
Unemployment - Unemployment rates in the Favelas is high (20%) → 1/3 of all workers work in the informal sector - Government cannot claim tax from them to improve the city
Poorest 50% earn only 13% of Rio’s income
Spatial patterns of poverty/wealth – South Zone wealthiest whilst North Zone is poorest
What are social issues in Leeds?
Leeds is in the midst of a house crisis currently due to a lack of affordable housing.
The average house price in Leeds is £260,000 and this is 7 times higher than the average single income in Leeds which is £35,000.
Lack of affordability forces those from lower socio-economic backgrounds to rent – causing further issues as council are slow to react to poor housing standards
What are social issues in Rio?
Acute housing problems. Over 100,00 immigrants each year and many squat on public or private land (so these are illegal settlements) – often hazardous environments such as swamps, hills, beside roads or railways.
Others rent multiple occupancy housing.
Favelas – these are informal slum settlements that have developed over time. There are up to 1000 favelas in the greater Rio de Janeiro area.
Only ½ of children continue their education past 14
Shortage of schools / low incomes mean young people in favelas work
What is inequality?
The unequal distribution of money amongst a population
What is poverty?
An absolute term, referring to a level of deprivation that does not change over time
What is improving transport systems strategy to manage social and economic issues in Leeds?
Improving transport systems -
£270 million Leeds transport investment programme. 2000 new park and ride spaces and improvement to key journeys to reduce journey times. Over 200 new ultra-low and zero emission buses.
HS2 built but now cancelled due to cost.
Improvements to transport bring together people, places, jobs
Improved access to city centre and therefore high-paid jobs
Cleaner air on city’s streets reduces carbon emissions
What is education strategy to manage social and economic issues in Leeds?
‘Child poverty strategy’ aim of improving educational outcomes for students in poverty.
Programmes in place to support Leeds schools to improve attendance of vulnerable students and ensure they have regular, healthy meals.
Support low-income learners to break cycle of poverty
What is local businesses strategy to manage social and economic issues in Leeds?
When ASDA opened their Middleton store in 2014, they committed to a Local Employment Partnership which guaranteed that the 375 new full and part time jobs created went to local workers.
New job opportunities in the area improve people’s income leading to better standard of living and quality of life.
Government tax income also improved and can be reinvested to improve area. Positive multiplier effect
What is improvement transport systems strategy to manage social and economic issues in Rio?
Cable car system enabled residents to Rio’s railway network, allowing them to access city centre.
Some residents liked the system as it was faster and safe to get to work and in the city centre where there are opportunities to get better paid work.
Closed in 2016 as expensive to run
What is improving housing - campo grande strategy to manage social and economic issues in Rio?
New settlement of 800 houses built a 90-minute drive from city centre to re-house people who were compulsory evicted due to the olympics.
Houses are better quality and have clean water, electricity and sanitation
Long way from city - some jobs became inaccessible to residents who moved
