Key Issue 3: Why do Inner Cities have Distinctive Problems? I. Inner-city physical problems A. Deterioration process B. Urban renewal II. Inner-city social problems A. Underclass B. Culture of poverty III. Inner-city economic problems Lack of money and services

Inner City Physical Problems Major: poor housing conditions 1. Process of deterioration 2. What is filtering? Process of dividing large houses into several dwellings for lower-income residents. Owners try to collect rent… Repairs on home outprice the rent… Owners abandon the property.

3.Redlining 4. Public Housing 5. Urban Renewal 6. Gentrification

Inner City Social Problems Culture of Poverty underclass lack of job skills homelessness Crime Segregation – Racial and Ethnic

Dayton, Ohio -- Inner City Fig : Drug-related arrests (left) have been concentrated in the inner-west side of the city. In the 2001 mayoral election, votes for Rhine McLin concentrated in the African-American section of the city.

Inner City Economic Problems Lack of money for services Annexation

Legally adding land to a city Historically small communities surrounding a city wanted to be annexed (access to services) Today many small jurisdictions prefer to remain apart from the city (city taxes are high)

Pflugerville Annexations HHS Black Hawk HEB Steeds Crossing Bohl’s Place Gatlinburg

Growth of Chicago Fig : Chicago grew rapidly in the 19th century through annexation. In the 20th century the major annexation was for O’Hare Airport.

Highest density of student housing -Single- family homes divided into apartments -Increasingly marked by mixed use apartment complexes This section of Guadalupe St. is known as “the Drag” What type of businesses occupy the lower levels of these buildings?

KI 4: Problems of the ‘burbs The peripheral model Density gradient Cost of suburban sprawl Suburban segregation Transportation and suburbanization Motor vehicles Public transportation Local government fragmentation Metropolitan government Growing smart

Peripheral Model of Urban Areas Fig : The central city is surrounded by a ring road, around which are suburban areas and edge cities, shopping malls, office parks, industrial areas, and service complexes.

Density Gradient Shows that the number of houses per land unit diminishes as distance from CBD increases.

Levittown PA

Density Gradient also changes over time…

Cleveland, Ohio, 1900–1990 Fig : The density gradient in Cleveland shows the expansion of dense population outward from the city center over time. In 1990, population dispersed over a wider area with less variation in density than before.

What is sprawl? Progressive spread of development over landscapes. Differs in US and Europe UK incorporates greenbelts

Suburban Development in the U.S. and U.K. Fig : New housing in the U.K. is likely to be in planned new towns, while in the U.S. growth occurs in discontinuous developments.

Suburban Segregation- Historically it was more vertical separation poor people in upper floors/attics and basements wealthier on ground floors Once people spread out more into suburbs—more separation by class, race and lifestyle

Transportation and Suburbanization Suburbs only exist because of advances in transportation. Cities crowded because everyone had to walk. Railroads and later subways gave some people access to commute. Streetcar suburbs built in 19 th century.

Streetcar suburb in Philidelphia

Motor Vehicles Suburban explosion of 20 th century result of availability of cars and trucks. 95% of all trips within US cities now down by car. US government encouraged this by providing 90% cost of US highway system. Lower fuel prices than other parts of world. ¼ land is roads in cities/suburbs 1/3 high priced land in CBD’s parking lots and roads.

Public Transportation Most commuters use public transportation in and out of CBD’s during rush hour. Early 20 th century– US had 30,000 miles of railways and trolleys for commuters. Today- only a few hundred miles remain. Why? GM (General Motors)

GM bought streetcar companies and replaced them with buses. More flexible service. Buses declining in most US cities today.

Something that’s increasing?? Rapid Transit lines. Fixed heavy rail (subways) Fixed light rail Los Angeles, San Diego, Buffalo, Baltimore, Austin

Public transportation outside of USA Extensive networks in Western Europe and Japan Still new construction and improvements. Small cities booming with construction of transportation– subways, high speed rail

Public Transport in Brussels Fig : Brussels illustrates the integration of heavy rail and light rail in public transport.

Local Government Fragmentation example of Long Island, New York Size: 90 miles 800 local governments 2 counties 13 towns 95 villages 127 school districts 500 special districts (garbage collection, etc)

What is Smart Growth?? Goal: stop or curb sprawl, reduce traffic congestion, reverse inner city decline. Develop, but also protect rural land and wildlife. Legislation and regulations help this preservation.

Arlington, Virginia enacted several smart growth laws to protect land and wildlife.