Chapter Ten The City and City Life

Objectives To explore the significance of cities for societies and economies.To explore the significance of cities for societies and economies. To highlight the evolution of the city and the characteristics of contemporary cities.To highlight the evolution of the city and the characteristics of contemporary cities.

Urban development Cities are characterised by:Cities are characterised by: –A large number of people living in close proximity –A distinct political economy Until the industrial revolution (1780) there were few citiesUntil the industrial revolution (1780) there were few cities –The process of industrialisation attracted more people to urban areas, leading to the growth of cities like London and Paris

Urban development After World War Two we can see the rise of new forms of urban developmentAfter World War Two we can see the rise of new forms of urban development –Megalopolises Very large urban centres with huge concentrations of people (10 million+)Very large urban centres with huge concentrations of people (10 million+) –Suburbanisation Development of housing outside and often some distance from the inner cityDevelopment of housing outside and often some distance from the inner city

Urban development After World War Two we can see the rise of new forms of urban developmentAfter World War Two we can see the rise of new forms of urban development –Gentrification Middle classes renovate older houses in inner city traditionally occupied by working classesMiddle classes renovate older houses in inner city traditionally occupied by working classes –De-industrialisation Declining employment in the heavy manufacturing industry leads to the decline in some cities (Detroit, Chicago) and the growth of others (Los Angeles, San Diego)Declining employment in the heavy manufacturing industry leads to the decline in some cities (Detroit, Chicago) and the growth of others (Los Angeles, San Diego)

The impact of globalisation Globalisation has seen the rise of ‘world’ cities characterised by:Globalisation has seen the rise of ‘world’ cities characterised by: –Very large populations (10-20 million) –Significant global economic influence London, New York, TokyoLondon, New York, Tokyo These changes have exacerbated poverty and inequality in the cityThese changes have exacerbated poverty and inequality in the city

The problems with cities Growing feeling of dislocation and insecurityGrowing feeling of dislocation and insecurity –Tönnes’ Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft The size, pace and complexity of the city fracture community solidarity and encourage individual competitiveness and materialismThe size, pace and complexity of the city fracture community solidarity and encourage individual competitiveness and materialism Growing urban poverty and the development of ghettosGrowing urban poverty and the development of ghettos –A stark contrast between the wealthy and the poor

Theorising the city Neo-Weberian analyses of the cityNeo-Weberian analyses of the city –Focus on connections between access to affordable housing and social position John Rex and Robert Moore, Jan PahlJohn Rex and Robert Moore, Jan Pahl Neo-Marxist analyses of the cityNeo-Marxist analyses of the city –Argue that the city is an expression of contemporary capitalism and an important site of consumption David Harvey and Manuel CastellsDavid Harvey and Manuel Castells

Theorising the city Post modern analyses of the cityPost modern analyses of the city –See the city as an expression of globalism Plurality of identities and social relationsPlurality of identities and social relations Geographically and socially fragmentedGeographically and socially fragmented Focus on security and surveillanceFocus on security and surveillance Feminist analyses of the cityFeminist analyses of the city –Highlight the gendered nature of the city The design of urban spaces reinforce a gendered division of labourThe design of urban spaces reinforce a gendered division of labour –Home-work split

Summary –Urban development is constantly evolving and is influenced by other social and economic processes IndustrialisationIndustrialisation De-industrialisationDe-industrialisation GlobalisationGlobalisation –There are various ways of theorising urban development Neo-Weberian, Neo-Marxist, Postmodern, FeministNeo-Weberian, Neo-Marxist, Postmodern, Feminist