3.2.3.3 Social and Economic issues with urbanisation

Economic inequality

Uneven distribution of living standards in a city

Social segregation

Groups of people live apart from the larger population

What are the two TYPES of segregation

External and self

Causes of social segregation

Developers building for ‘poor’ market, Changing environments, Ethnic groups clustering due to discrimination, gentrification

Causes of economic inequality

Deindustrialisation, Globalisation, Gentrification

Strategies to tackle economic inequality and social segregation

Enforcing living wage, Provision of schools, Affordable hosing/transport, Urban regeneration, Progressive taxation

Enforcement of living wage case study

London Living Wage, not legally enforced so uneven

Provision of schools case study

London Education Action Zones fund deprived boroughs but take time

Affordable housing/transport case study

Elizabeth line provides jobs but causes land costs to rise around the station

Urban regeneration case study

Docklands vs Favelo bario programe (limited funding for infrastructure)

Progressive taxation case study

Brazil has weak enforcement and corruption vs London’s council tax

Cultural diversity

Presence of multiple ethnic, religious, lingrustic and cultural groups

Causes of cultural diversity in cities “Melting Pot”

First point of entry, Labour demand/employment opportunities, Established cultural diversity

Opportunities of cultural diversity

Economic growth, cultural enrichment, innovation/creativity, global city status

Challenges of cultural diversity

Language barriers, ‘parallel lives’ due to policies, racism/conflict

Reasons for ethnic segregation

Migrants source of cheap labour so placed in cheap houses, Hostility from the majority of the population, Provision of specialist facilities such as worship, Support/security of living with others

Management strategies for cultural diversity issues

Education/Language support, Mixed housing and inclusive urban planning, Community cohesion policies

How does education/language support reduce cultural diversity issues

Multicultural curricula reduce barriers to employment and participation. Requires sustained funding and deep rooted attitude change

How does Mixed housing and inclusive urban planning reduce cultural diversity issues

Affordable housing quotas, mixed use development prevent clustering, shared public spaces encourage interaction. Can cause gentrification if not correctly managed.

How does community cohesion policies reduce cultural diversity issues

Cultural festivals and community centres create shared identity and reduce prejudice. Participation often dominated by empowered group