6.10 Challenges of Urban Changes

8 min read•june 18, 2024

Harrison Burnside

Riya Patel

Harrison Burnside

Riya Patel

AP Human Geography 🚜

320 resources

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Introduction

Urbanization, or the process of increasing the proportion of a population living in urban areas, can bring about significant changes in a city or region. These changes can have both positive and negative impacts on the social, economic, and environmental well-being of a community. Some of the challenges that may arise in the context of urban change include:

Housing affordability: Rapid urbanization can lead to rising housing prices, which can make it difficult for low- and middle-income families to afford a place to live.
Inequality: Urbanization can also contribute to income inequality, as the wealthy may benefit more from the economic opportunities and amenities associated with urban living, while the poor may struggle to access affordable housing and other necessities.
Traffic congestion: Urbanization can also lead to increased traffic congestion, which can have negative impacts on air quality and quality of life.
Environmental degradation: Urbanization can also put pressure on natural resources and contribute to environmental degradation, such as through the development of green spaces and the increase in waste generation.

To address these challenges, governments and community organizations may implement policies and programs designed to promote sustainable urban development, including through the provision of affordable housing, the promotion of public transportation, and the protection of natural resources.

Challenges

Modern Challenge	Characteristics
Gentrification	Gentrification is a process in which a neighborhood undergoes a change in population and an increase in property values, often resulting in the displacement of low-income residents and small businesses. This process is typically driven by the influx of more affluent individuals or businesses into an area, which can lead to the renovation of older housing and commercial buildings, the construction of new developments, and an increase in property values. While gentrification can bring new investment and economic growth to a neighborhood, it can also have negative consequences for the residents who are displaced and for the social and cultural fabric of the community. Some of the potential negative effects of gentrification include the loss of affordable housing, the displacement of long-time residents, and the alteration or loss of cultural or historic landmarks.
Redlining	Redlining is a discriminatory practice in which financial institutions and other organizations deny or limit financial services, insurance, or other resources to residents of certain areas, typically because those areas are predominantly inhabited by racial or ethnic minorities. This practice was made illegal in the United States through the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, and other factors. However, the effects of redlining continue to be felt today, as neighborhoods that were previously redlined often have lower levels of investment and fewer resources than neighborhoods that were not.
Blockbusting	Blockbusting is a practice in which real estate agents or developers try to encourage homeowners to sell their properties by intentionally creating a sense of fear or panic about the racial or ethnic composition of a neighborhood. This can be done through tactics such as spreading rumors that people of a certain race or ethnicity are moving into the area, or that property values will decline if certain groups of people move in. Blockbusting was often used in conjunction with redlining, as real estate agents and developers would often target neighborhoods that had been redlined and then try to convince homeowners to sell their properties at a discounted price. The effects of blockbusting can be significant and long-lasting, as it can lead to the displacement of families and communities and contribute to segregation and inequality.
White Flight	White flight refers to the phenomenon of white people moving out of urban neighborhoods that are becoming racially or ethnically diverse, often to suburban areas. This term is often used to describe the mass migration of white people from cities to suburbs in the United States that occurred during the mid-20th century. White flight was often driven by concerns about declining property values, changes in the social and economic makeup of the neighborhood, and a desire to live in areas with fewer people of color. The term can also be used more broadly to describe similar patterns of racial or ethnic segregation in other countries. The effects of white flight can be significant and long-lasting, as it can contribute to segregation, inequality, and a lack of diversity in urban and suburban areas.
Residential Segregation	Residential segregation refers to the physical separation of different racial and ethnic groups in the housing market, resulting in separate and unequal neighborhoods. This can occur as a result of intentional policies, such as redlining, or more subtle factors, such as discrimination in the housing market or the fact that people often prefer to live near others who are similar to them. Residential segregation can have a number of negative consequences, including unequal access to resources and opportunities, lower property values in neighborhoods that are predominantly inhabited by people of color, and a lack of diversity in communities. Some of the factors that contribute to residential segregation include discrimination, housing policies, and economic inequality.
Public Housing	Public housing is a type of housing assistance provided by the government to low-income individuals and families. It is typically provided in the form of rental apartments or houses that are owned and managed by a government agency. Public housing is intended to provide safe and affordable housing for people who may not be able to afford market-rate rents. Eligibility for public housing is typically based on income, and the amount of rent that residents are required to pay is generally based on a percentage of their income. Public housing is an important resource for many people who need assistance with housing, and it can play a key role in helping people to achieve long-term stability and independence.
Squatter Settlements	Squatter settlements, also known as informal settlements or shantytowns, are areas where people live in improvised housing structures, often without legal ownership or permission to occupy the land. Squatter settlements can be found in many cities around the world, and they are often home to marginalized and low-income communities. People living in squatter settlements may lack access to basic services such as clean water, sanitation, and electricity, and they may be at risk of eviction or other forms of displacement. Squatter settlements can be a result of rapid urbanization, a lack of affordable housing, and other economic and social factors. Governments and community organizations may work to address the challenges faced by residents of squatter settlements, including through initiatives to improve living conditions, provide access to services, and formalize land tenure.

Problems

There are social and economic problems linked with the growth and decline of urban communities. These include housing and insurance unfairness, housing affordability, access to food stores and other public services, disamenity zones, and gentrification.

Disamenity Zones

Disamenity zones are areas that are characterized by a lack of desirable amenities or features. These may include areas with high levels of pollution, traffic congestion, crime, or poverty, or areas that are otherwise considered undesirable to live in. Disamenity zones can have negative impacts on the health, well-being, and quality of life of the people who live in them, and they may be a source of social and economic inequality. Governments and community organizations may work to address the challenges faced by people living in disamenity zones, including through initiatives to improve public safety, reduce pollution, and provide access to amenities and services.

In the past in the USA, there was racial discrimination by de jure or de facto means. This was further facilitated through segregated city development known as residential segregation.

De Jure or De Facto

De jure and de facto are Latin terms that are used to distinguish between things that are based on law or official rules (de jure) and those that exist in fact, regardless of whether they are legally or formally recognized (de facto).

De jure segregation refers to segregation that is based on laws or official policies. For example, segregation of public schools based on race was de jure segregation in the United States prior to the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared such segregation to be unconstitutional.

De facto segregation, on the other hand, refers to segregation that arises from social, economic, or cultural factors, rather than from explicit laws or policies. De facto segregation may be the result of residential patterns, job market dynamics, or other factors that lead to the separation of different groups within a population.

Both de jure and de facto segregation can have negative impacts on the opportunities and well-being of disadvantaged groups, and they may contribute to social and economic inequality. Governments and community organizations may work to address segregation and promote greater integration and inclusivity through various means, such as fair housing policies, targeted economic development initiatives, and education reform.

Blockbusting is a racially discriminatory practice of pressuring a party to sell a home to families of a minority race or ethnic background, then using fear tactics to cause others in the neighborhood to sell their homes at low prices.

Central cities were dismissed within the 1980s, and they began to regrow in popularity within the 1990s and now are the destination spot for people to be, culturally and entertainment‐wise. However, housing prices have risen and most of the desirable areas are already bought or too expensive to be acquired. So people began looking elsewhere for affordable housing. Gentrification is the process of rehabilitating old structures in deteriorated areas rather than demolishing old structures to make new ones. Gentrification changes formerly low‐income areas to middle‐ and high‐income groups. It gives an economic boost to the area, but it also raises property values which force the poorer, often minority groups that settled there during the redlining and blockbusting times mentioned above. Gentrification creates tension between long‐time residents and newcomers. Sometimes, empty or abandoned areas are completely demolished to the ground. The picture below shows gentrification on the right and the original neighborhood on the left.

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

On the other hand, as cities decentralize by moving industry outward, people leave the cities likewise during a movement known as counter‐urbanization. Some move to suburbs, but some families decide to move to rural areas. Approximately one in six Americans live in a master‐planned community. Inside these master‐planned communities, one can find gated subsets where a fence or wall manned by a code or guard denies access except to some individuals. Over 9 million high‐income Americans board these kinds of communities. Troubled by inner‐city crime, people went to seek safety within their walled compounds. Gated communities were found around the world as well.

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6.0Unit 6 Overview: Cities & Urban Land-Use

6.1The Origin and Influences of Urbanization

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