Lecture on Challenges of Urban Changes and Urbanization

Introduction

• Urbanization has transformed living, working, and interaction.
• Various challenges faced by urban areas include economic, political, cultural, and environmental issues.

Segregation in Urban Areas

• Segregation exists along economic and racial lines.
• Historical impacts from policies like Jim Crow laws still influence cities.
  • Racial dot maps show distinct racial neighborhoods.
• De Facto Segregation: Separation not enforced by law but due to socio-economic factors.

Redlining

• Historical practice by the government using maps to color-code neighborhoods by mortgage risk.
• Areas with Black and Hispanic residents marked high risk, predominantly white areas marked low risk.
• Denied communities of color the ability to build generational wealth.

Blockbusting

• Real estate agents used fear to get white homeowners to sell cheaply.
• Homes sold at higher prices to minority groups, leading to 'white flight'.

Impact of Segregation

• Creation of urban ghettos, unequal resource distribution.
• Poor neighborhoods face higher crime, less job opportunities, poorer access to services, more pollution.
• Disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards.

Urban Environmental Hazards

• Highways built near marginalized communities.
• Factories and disposal sites more frequent in these areas, affecting health.

Food Deserts

• Areas with lack of fresh, healthy food, leading to health issues like obesity and diabetes.

Disamenity Zones

• Also known as zones of abandonment.
• Characterized by high crime, vacant buildings, poor infrastructure.
• Formed due to lack of affordable housing, de-industrialization.

Squatter Settlements

• Informal settlements with no legal claim to land.
• Lack access to resources like water, sewage, electricity.
• High rates of poverty, informal economies.

Revitalization and Inclusionary Zoning

• Revitalization Programs: Aim to promote economic growth, improve infrastructure.
• Inclusionary Zones: Encourage affordable housing developments.

Gentrification

• Can accompany urban renewal, leading to displacement of original residents.
• Attracts affluent residents, causing increased segregation.

Government Bureaucracy in Urban Planning

• Various levels of government impact urban planning.
• Federal government influences through financial incentives.
• State governments can directly influence city planning (e.g., growth boundaries in Oregon).
• Regional governments coordinate between municipalities.
• Local governments manage day-to-day operations.

Special Districts

• Provide specific services to residents.

Conclusion

• Cities face a variety of challenges.
• Successful adaptation leads to thriving cities; failure can negatively impact public health, economic growth, and social well-being.

Call to Action

• Practice questions and resources for further study.