Human Geography: Spatial Inequality

4. Human Geography: Spatial Inequality Mexico City and Houston Case Study

5. What is Spatial Inequality? • Spatial inequality  What does this mean? • Spatial = Area or Space • Inequality = uneven • Spatial inequality occurs when: “there is an uneven distribution of resources or wealth in an area.” • In your own words: What is Spatial inequality? “Mister – its when there is a rich part of Houston were the rich people work, then the poor parts which people don’t want to go to.”

6. Picture 1: • What do you see in this picture? • How does picture capture the idea of spatial inequality? • What can you infer about why people live where they do, based on this picture? • How can you determine where the rich and poor people live in this area?

7. Rural Decline and Urban Migration • Historically….. • the people of Mexico have been farmers • Farming in Mexico evolved from Subsistence farming to Commercial farming. • Mexican farmers would grow beans, vegetables, corn.

8. Mexico City

9. Rural Decline and Urban Migration • However… • Drought, poor soil, and bad crops have forced thousands of peoples to leave their farms and move to the cities in search of new jobs. • Today, only 15 % of all land in Mexico is suitable for farming. • The high cost of fertilizer, land (rent), and machinery has also forced people to abandon their jobs as farmers. • As a result… • People are moving to the cities in waves in search of a better life, higher paying jobs, and better schools for their children.

11. Urbanization Creates New Problems • Between 1970 and 1990 over 1,000 people a day moved to Mexico City. • What Kind of problems might this cause for Mexico City? • Overcrowding  too many people, too little land. • There is not enough land for everyone to have an equal part • Inadequate Infrastructure  The city can not support the influx of people, sewers clog, electricity goes on and off • Pollution  People are getting sick from the pollution they breath. • Lack of fresh water Clean water is in short supply • Increase in crime rates  people who can not find jobs tend to commit crimes in order to survive.

12. Picture 2: What do you See????????

13. Have’s and Have Not’s • Have's: • Members of Mexico City’s middle and upper class. • Wealthy, large landowners • Live in large homes, with modern security for protection • Hire “have not’s” to work around their homes as cooks, cleaners, gardeners • Children go to the best schools, and will take on the family business. • Have Not’s: • Many of Mexico City’s have-nots live in the Slums: garbage dumps and areas of poor land quality. • Have little private possession, look for anything of value to sell • Lack basic needs: electricity, health care, food, clean water • Called “working poor” because these people do have jobs, however these jobs pay very little.

16. Houston, Texas

20. What makes a nice or bad neighborhood in Houston • Nice…. • Bad…..

22. River Oaks, Houston Texas # 16 • Fifth Ward, Houston, Texas #2 • Distance between River Oaks and Fifth Ward = 4 miles.

25. River Oaks vs. Fifth Ward, Houston Texas • Comparison: • Annual Average Income River Oaks: $209,000 Fifth Ward: $8,200 • Number of people living below poverty line (23,000 $): River Oaks: >1% Fifth Ward: 61 % • Number of Ex-felons living in the area: (per 1000 people) River Oaks: .01 Fifth Ward: 15 • Number of people with a college degree: River Oaks: 87 % Fifth Ward: 2 % • Population: River Oaks: 17,727 Fifth Ward: 22,646