Urban issues Flashcards
Economic inequality
Unequal distribution of money among a population.
Developing countries have high inequalities because they don’t have the resources to support their poorest citizens.
Developed countries have welfare states to provide basic services and income.
Issues associated with economic inequality
Political and social unrest e.g. rioting
A rise in crime, drug use and violence
Healthy problems e.g. malnourishment.
Benefits of diversity
Ethnic diversity enriches a cities character and increases tolerance.
Cultural events and ethnic quarters can attract tourists, boosting the economy.
Problems associated with diversity
Tensions between groups and violence
Pressure on services- schools may need extra staff for pupils who cant speak the native language.
Minority groups may feel isolated and unrepresented politically.
Social segregation
Different groups are separated from each other e.g. poorer people or people from a particular ethnic background may be concentrated in a particular area of the city.
Voluntary social segregation
Followers of a particular religion may choose to settle close to their area of worship.
Forced social segregation
Many Roma people in Italy cant access social housing, so they end up in camps on city outskirts.
Issues associated with social segregation
Prejudice and discrimination
Less access to healthcare and jobs, widening inequalities
Anxiety, poor healthy and life expectancy.
Lack of access to facilities
Poorer areas tend to be closer to industry and rubbish dumps, affecting health and well being.
Strategies to reduce poverty and economic equalities
Improving transport systems
Subsidising the construction of affordable to help poorer people by property
Minimum wages
Governments can offer subsidies for new companies, increasing local employment opportunities.
Upgrading slum settlements.
Strategies to encourage social and cultural integration
Governments can encourage the political participation of minority groups e.g. by sending post cards encouraging them to vote.
New laws can be passed to prevent companies from discriminating
New developments can include both luxury apartments and low cost housing - reducing divisions.
Communities can help ease racial tensions e.g. by involving different groups in projects to remove racial graffiti.
London inequalities
Has some of the richest and poorest people in the UK and the gap has been widening since the 1980s.
25% are living in poverty.
There is social segregation based on age, class and religion.
London average annual income
Chelsea - more than £130,000
Newham - less than £35,000
Notting Hill
Inner city area that has been gentrified, forcing poorer residents out of the area.
Cultural diversity in London
More than 50% aren’t white British.
Proportions of different ethnic minorities differ widely between boroughs.
Brent - over 60% aren’t white British
Havering - 16% aren’t white British.
This suggests that social segregation in an issue.
Hate crime in London
An issue. In the 12 months before July 2015 there were over 800 anti-Muslim incidents in the city.
