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/ : 1/3 2000: 1/2 2030: an estimated 61%

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 U.S. Poverty rate was 16.4% inside central cities compared with 11.8% overall.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.