housing crisis

Why do rich live in city centres (2 social, 2 economic)?

1. (Social factor) The amenities, such as restaurants, shops, theatres, museums, galleries and nightlife.

2. (economic factor) Highest paying jobs convenience - finance and executive officers of companies in London

3. (social factor) Status, networking and ambition 

4. (economic factor) Investment opportunities 

Why do the poor live in the inner city and the outskirts (1 social, 2 economic)?

1. (economic) Cheaper properties, which may be a result of greater distance to CBD, high rise buildings and rundown property 

2. (economic) Proximity to jobs - reduce public transportation costs 

3. (social) Proximity to education 

Where do poor vs rich live in London?

Tower Hamlets and Newham vs Mayfair, Kensington

What is inequality caused by?

1. unequal distribution of public services and infrastructure 

2. Differences in education resources and quality

3. Disparities in economic opportunities and employment access 

greenfield

• Can include green belt areas

• Cheaper to build on 

• Encourages urban sprawl - not favoured by environmentalists

• Reduces area of countryside

• Encourage commuting - more traffic

greenbelt

heavily protected land circling an urban area, aiming to protect the surrounding countryside from development. Stops urban sprawl.

Brownfield

• Previously built on and already has utilities

• area has to cleared

• Higher in renovation than building new

• Reduces urban sprawl because the site has previously been developed 

• Redevelopment them improves the urban environment as redevelops unsightly areas.

• Found in urban areas, reduces demand on car use

HIC housing solution

• Build more social housing 

• Allow people to take out 100% mortgages 

• Make mansion owners pay more tax

• Build more high-density housing (skyscrapers)

• Give grants to first time buyers

• Give builder incentives to build more homes in most needed areas

Favelas

• Community that was built without any oversight or public authority

• 25% of people in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil live in favelas

• largest Favela in Rio called Rocinha 

• No utilities 

• ‘grassroots’ action - Created their own association  and an area from rubbish turned into garden

Dharavi, Mumbai

• 1 million people live in 1 square mile

• Over 500 people share one toilet

• whole area is built on rubbish

• Fully functioning high street.

• Flexible space - changing to needs, e.g. makeshift mosque

• high employment + low crime rate

• Raw sewage- can infiltrate water pipes

Urban sprawl

Unregulated urban sprawl can lead to poor infrastructure and removal of natural environments. However if urban sprawl is prevented can led to overcrowding. Risk of spread of disease and fire will increase.

What causes a housing crisis and who does it affect the most?

• where demand for housing exceeds the supply, housing prices tend to increase

• first time buyers, families, homeless