Challenges for Cities

Chapter 13 sections 8 and 9

Terms/Concepts

• percentage of Urban dwellers• gentrification• urban sprawl• segregation in suburbs

Urban Dwellers

• The percentage of urban dwellers is high in more developed countries because:– Rural residents came to the city

looking for work– The need for fewer farm workers has

pushed people out of rural areas.– The increased percentage living in

urban areas has produced a corresponding decrease in the percentage living in rural areas.

Decline of the City

• Inner city challenges– Inadequate job skills– Culture of poverty– Crime– Homelessness– Poverty– Lack of services– Deteriorating housing

Renewal of the City

• Gentrification– Process by which middle-class people move

into deteriorated inner-city neighborhoods and renovate the housing

– Reasons• Larger housing• Closer to place of work (downtown)• Proximity to amenities

– Appeals to singles and childless couples

Suburban Sprawl

• Urban Sprawl– Development of new housing sites not

nearby to the existing built –up area.

Suburban Sprawl• Attractions of suburbs– A detached single-family dwelling rather than a

row house or apartment– A yard surrounding the house for children to

play– Space to park several cars at no cost– A greater opportunity for home ownership– Protection from inner-city crime and congestion– Proximity to good schools

Suburban Sprawl• The costs of sprawl– Roads and utilities must be extended – Higher fuel consumption– Loss of agricultural land

• Other sites lie fallow while speculators await

– Local governments typically spend more on services for these new developments

Suburban Sprawl• How are North American suburbs

segregated?– According to land use– By social class– Economic status

Terms/Concepts

• percentage of Urban dwellers• gentrification• urban sprawl• segregation in suburbs