Inequalities Within Urban Areas
Poverty and Deprivation
What Is Urban Poverty?
Urban Poverty
Urban poverty refers to the lack of abilities to meet basic needs and limited opportunities in cities, often concentrated in specific areas.
Urban poverty is not just about income - it also includes deprivation in the following dimensions:
- Physical Infrastructure and Environment: Poor quality housing, lack of adequate pedestrian and green spaces, vandalism, air pollution.
- Social Decline: Limited access to healthcare and education, low standards of education, reported crime and fear of crime.
- Local Economy: Low levels of income, unemployment and underemployment.
- Political Exclusion: Limited opportunities to take part in community organizations, low level of engagement in elections and democratic practices.
Characteristics of Deprived Areas
Poor Access to Services:
- Limited availability of healthcare, education, and public transportation.
- Residents often travel long distances for basic needs.
Overcrowding or under-population:
- High population density in apartment blocks leads to cramped living conditions or low population density in old working class neighborhoods leads to deserted areas.
- Shared facilities like toilets and kitchens increase health risks.
Unemployment and Underemployment:
- Few job opportunities, often in low-paying or unstable sectors.
- Skills mismatch between residents and available jobs.
When studying urban poverty, consider both structural (e.g., policies) and individual (e.g., skills) factors that contribute to inequality.
Informal Activity
Informal Housing: Slums and Squatter Settlements
Informal housing
Informal housing refers to unregulated and often unsafe living conditions, commonly found in slums or squatter settlements.
Characteristics of Informal Housing
- Lack of Legal Tenure: Residents face the constant threat of eviction.
- Poor Infrastructure: Limited access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity.
- Hazardous Locations: Often built on floodplains, steep slopes, or near industrial zones.
Don't assume all informal settlements are the same. They vary widely in size, structure, and access to services.
Informal Economy: Unregulated Markets and Home-Based Businesses
Informal Economy
Informal Economy include variety of economic activities outside official regulations, providing livelihoods for many urban residents.
Characteristics of Informal Economy
- Ease of Entry: Minimal barriers to starting a business, such as street vending or home-based work.
- Small Scale: Businesses are often family-run and labour-intensive.
- Lack of Regulation: No legal protections or benefits for workers.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Provides employment for marginalized groups | Lack of worker protections and benefits |
| Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation | Unstable income and poor working conditions |
| Supports local economies | Contributes to tax evasion and unregulated growth |
When analyzing informal economy, consider their role in both alleviating and perpetuating urban poverty.
Comparing Urban Inequalities in MEDCs and LEDCs
MEDCs: Urban Poverty in Detroit, USA
- Deindustrialization: Loss of manufacturing jobs led to high unemployment.
- Housing Crisis: Abandoned properties and declining infrastructure.
- Racial Segregation: Historical policies continue to affect access to services.
LEDCs: Informal Settlements in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya
- Rapid Urbanization: Population growth outpaces formal housing development.
- Lack of Basic Services: Overcrowding and poor sanitation increase health risks.
- Resilience and Innovation: Residents create informal businesses to survive.
How do cultural perceptions of informal settlements differ across regions? Could these perceptions influence policy decisions?
Addressing Urban Inequalities
Strategies for Improvement
Upgrading Informal Settlements:
- Providing legal tenure, improving infrastructure, and ensuring access to services.
Inclusive Urban Planning:
- Designing cities that prioritize affordable housing and equitable access to services.
Supporting Informal Economies:
- Offering training, microloans, and legal recognition to informal workers.
