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Chapter 13, Cities in Crisis

Chapter 13, Cities in Crisis. The Global Context: a World View of Urbanization Sociological Theories of Urbanization Cities and Social Problems Strategies for Action: Saving Our Cities. Urbanization . Share of world population living in urban areas: 1900: 1/10 1960: 1/3 2000: 1/2

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Chapter 13, Cities in Crisis

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  1. Chapter 13, Cities in Crisis • The Global Context: a World View of Urbanization • Sociological Theories of Urbanization • Cities and Social Problems • Strategies for Action: Saving Our Cities

  2. Urbanization  Share of world population living in urban areas: • 1900: 1/10 • 1960: 1/3 • 2000: 1/2 • 2030: an estimated 61% 

  3. Most Populated Cities in World • Tokyo-Yokohama, Japan • Mexico City, Mexico • Sao Paulo, Brazil • Seoul, South Korea • Bombay, India

  4. Factors Contributing to Urbanization • High birth rates in urban areas. • Rural dwellers migrate to urban areas to flee war or natural disasters and find employment. • Governments spend more to improve urban infrastructures and services, while neglecting the needs of rural areas.

  5. Factors That Contribute to Suburbanization • Racial prejudices led to whites moving to the suburbs. • Federal road building and grants for sewer construction. • Addition of satellite branches for some businesses. • Technology facilitated the movement to the suburbs.

  6. Effects of Urban Sprawl • Traffic congestion • Pollution • Loss of open, green spaces • Noise • Endangerment of wildlife

  7. Structural-Functionalist Perspective Dysfunctions of urbanization: • Dense population facilitates spread of infectious diseases. • Overcrowding, poverty and environmental destruction.

  8. Conflict Perspective • Emphasizes the role of power, wealth and profit motive in development of urban areas. • Capitalism contributes to migration of rural inhabitants to cities. • Individuals and groups with wealth and power influence decisions that affect urban populations.

  9. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective • Efforts to redefine cities in positive terms are reflected in campaigns sponsored by convention and visitors bureaus. • Distinctive cultures and lifestyles of cities influence their residents’ self-concepts, values and behaviors.

  10. Classical Theoretical View • Urban living emphasizes individuality and detachment from interpersonal relationships. • Primary social bonds weaken in favor of superficial social bonds. • Social solidarity weakens leading to loneliness, depression, stress. 

  11. Modern Theoretical View • Cities do not interfere with functional and positive interpersonal relationships. • Kinship and ethnicity help bind people together. • City is a patchwork quilt of urban villages that help individuals deal with the pressures of urban living.

  12. Urban Poverty • Over 1/4 of the developing world’s urban population lives below the poverty line. • In some of the world’s poorest countries, half of the urban population lives in deprivation. • 1999 U.S. Poverty rate was 16.4% inside central cities compared with 11.8% overall.

  13. Drug Addiction, AIDS, and Crime • High rates of drug use and addiction in urban areas are related to joblessness, poverty, and hopelessness. • Rates of property and violent crime are higher in metropolitan areas than rural areas. • Rates of HIV/AIDS are higher in urban areas due to high rates of risk behavior by city dwellers. 

  14. Dependency on Cars Factors that encourage dependency: • Free and tax-free parking provided by employers. • Glamorization of automobiles (perpetuated by auto industry). • Federal subsidies that favor new roads over public transit.

  15. Dependency on Cars In 1930s: • National city lines bought and closed down more than 100 electric trolley lines in 45 U.S. Cities. • They were backed by 3 major auto makers, oil companies, tire manufacturers, and trucking and construction industries.

  16. Sprawl and the Displacement and Endangerment of Wildlife • Natural habitats are replaced with pavement, buildings, and human communities. • Coyotes, normally found only in the west and in Appalachia, are being sighted in every state.

  17. Sprawl and the Displacement and Endangerment of Wildlife • Deer cause an estimated half-million vehicle accidents a year, killing 100 people and injuring thousands more. • According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service, habitat loss is the number one reason why wildlife species are becoming endangered.

  18. Smart Growth • Mixed-land use, similar to mixed-use neighborhoods. • Compact housing design. • Preservation of open space, farmland and natural beauty. • Redevelopment of existing, decaying communities.

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