GEOG 453

Socioeconomic Changes in Calgary

• Overview of Changes

  • Discussion on socioeconomic changes in Calgary over 34 years with emphasis on the Northeast sector.

• Greatest Changes

  • Northeast Calgary has experienced significant change.

  • Factors such as the expansion of the airport have led to affordability in housing for lower-income households.

Direction of Change

• Land Market Dynamics

  • The expansion has made land cheaper, making the Northeast appealing for lower-income newcomers.

  • Lack of amenities and aesthetic considerations (flat prairies vs. mountains) contribute to lower land and housing prices.

• Demographics

  • The Northeast has a high concentration of lower-income households and newcomer groups, influenced by pricing and available jobs.

Economic Restructuring

• Middle-Class Decline

  • There has been a dramatic shrinking of the middle class, with fewer middle-class jobs available.

  • Rise in polarities within the job market: more high-paying management and technical jobs alongside poorly paid service jobs.

Income Distribution

• Geographical Income Analysis

  • Areas of income decline include parts of Northeast and North Central Calgary.

  • The term "Deerfoot Divide" is used to describe income discrepancies across the city.

• Aging Suburbs

  • Older suburban areas show declining income trends due to retirement transitions and reduced earnings.

Gentrification Trends

• Inner-City Income Increases

  • Wealthier demographics are increasingly moving into inner-city areas, indicating gentrification.

  • The transformation of low-income to high-income neighborhoods near downtown (e.g., Mount Royal, Beltline).

Crime Analysis in Calgary

• Critique of Crime Statistics

  • Discussions on crime statistics linked to population size rather than per capita rates, leading to misleading narratives.

• Job Availability

  • Low-income areas also supply entry-level jobs due to industrial locations.

Housing Market Dynamics

• Densification and Urban Planning

  • Upzoning discussions indicate that increasing density doesn’t necessarily lead to lower property values.

  • Example of West Kilbride, where upzoning led to more expensive duplexes replacing older homes, ultimately increasing neighborhood value.

• Affordable Housing Misconceptions

  • Densification is not guaranteed to produce more affordable housing, depending on what developments replace older structures.

Impact of Public Transit on Housing

• Transit Infrastructure and Land Value

  • Light rail transit lines can lead to higher density redevelopment, with land values increasing post-investment.

• High-Quality Transit Nodes

  • Successful urban development supported by public transit must emphasize high density where robust public transport systems exist.

Understanding Culture in Urban Context

• Defining Culture

  • Culture provides meaning to lives and experiences, influencing social interactions and societal norms.

  • Culture includes both high arts and everyday life aspects (e.g., professional wrestling).

Clifford Geertz's Contributions to Culture Studies

• Thick vs. Thin Description

  • Thin description focuses on mere observation, while thick description seeks to understand meaning and context.

  • Importance of thick description in recognizing how actions convey deeper cultural significance.

Interrelation of Culture and Society

• Culture as Integral to Social Structure

  • Culture affects economic actions, social relations, and political contexts, dispelling notions of it being separate or less significant.

• Examples of Cultural Significance

  • Different meanings attached to actions based on cultural context, with anecdotes on misinterpretation due to cultural differences.

Social and Economic Capital Dynamics

• Consumption Patterns

  • Consumption practices reflect cultural and economic status, affecting social perceptions of individuals.

  • Different levels of economic and cultural capital define social interactions and lifestyle choices.