urbanization

urbanization

the movement of the population into towns and cities and away from rural areas

ecological approach

emphasize the “natural” distribution of city neighborhoods into areas having contrasting characteristics

• different segments of the population sort themselves into the areas of the city in which they thrive

urbanism

denotes distinctive characteristics of urban social life, such as its impersonality

• social and psychological effects of cities

• how urban living shapes human behavior

• people develop tolerance for diversity but may also become socially isolated

• distinct way of being, characterized by individualism, impersonality, and transience (short)

segregation

the practice of keeping racial or ethnic groups separate, thereby maintaining the superior position of the dominant group

index of dissimilarity

a city composed of 2 groups: group A (80%) and group B (20%)

• if the city composition of every neighborhood is 80% A and 20% B, index score = 0

• if group A and group B share no neighborhoods in common, index score = 100

white flight

housing support for white veterans after WWII, white people moving to the suburbs, away from the cities

zoning

single-family homes, low-income families couldn’t afford

• only could afford apartments or live with other families

restrictive covenants

sign a contract that says you can’t sell your home to someone who is a different race than you

extralegal violence

mobs not allowing people to move into white neighborhoods

steering

real estate agents showing black people houses in African American dominant neighborhoods

gentrification

when neighborhoods undergo a process of change where new investment, new people, and new establishes move into and alter the character of a neighborhood

global city

a city that has become an organizing center of the new global economy

• command posts for the global economy

• key locations for finance and specialized service firms

• sites of production and innovation in these industries

• markets in which these services are bought and sold

key indicators of global cities

• employment opportunities

• recreation/entertainment

• education

• healthcare

global cities index: economies

a city’s economy is essential for its prosperity, driving wealth, jobs, and access to services

global cities index: human capital

represents the knowledge and skills of a city’s population, shaping its economic potential

• cities with diverse, well-educated populations and innovative businesses are better positioned for global competitiveness and economic growth

global cities index: quality of life

reflects residents’ well being and satisfaction, shaped by various socioeconomic factors, livability and attractiveness of a city

global cities index: environment

emphasizes the link between economic prosperity and a healthy environment

global cities index: governance

fosters trust, social cohesion, and equitable access to opportunities

• while poor governance can lead to inefficiencies, corrupt, and social unrest

• institutions that protect the rights of the residents and foster political stability

obstacles with chicago being global city

• ethnic communities are separate entities

• major universities have little contact with chicago

• too focused on Europe

• media ignore what is happening in chicago

• chicago has limited voice in national policy

informal settlement

residential areas where housing has been constructed without official approval, often lacking legal land tenure, basic infrastructure, and access to essential services such as water, sanitation, and electricity

• formal sector housing doesn’t meet demand

• often constitute majority of population

• slum refers to a type of informal settlement

slum

a group of individuals living under the same roof in an urban area who lack one of more of the following

• housing, space, water, sanitation, security

myths of slums

• slums serve no purpose

• all slum dwellers are poor

• slum dwellers are a burden on the economy