Problems facing inner-city areas.

• Congestion is a major issue because:

  • streets are narrow with houses in the inner city having no garages or driveways
  • large numbers of people who drive to the CBD park here with no charges.
  • Air quality is reduced with rising cases of asthma and lung cancer
  • Journey times increased, congestion costs London $4 billion / year
• Gentrification is the process whereby people with higher incomes buy poor quality housing and renovate it. This results in changes to the socio-economic makeup of the area, with wealthier residents displacing poorer ones.
• Advantages of Gentrification:

  • The appearance of an area is improved, abandoned city areas are rejuvenated.
  • There is increased demand for housing so there are fewer vacant properties.
  • Improved housing and new jobs attract people with increased disposable income, this supports local businesses and generates more wealth in tax.
• Disadvantages of Gentrification:

  • Pre-Gentrification residents can no longer afford the rent values or property taxes. (Liverpool, increased by 300%). This can lead to conflict.
  • The sense of community can be undermined due to the differences between the wealthy newcomers and the poor original owners.
  • Local businesses may be priced out by larger chain stores.
• Inner city areas of MEDC cities often have ethnically diverse populations.
• Inner city areas of MEDC cities often have ethnically diverse populations. Due to:

  • Cheap accommodation.
  • Nearby employment in the CBD.
  • Other migrants with a similar background have settled in these areas. This provides a sense of safety.

  London is one of ethnically diverse the most cities on the planet, with many ethnic groups races and languages.
• Different ethnic groups may experience tension or conflict, either between two minority groups or between immigrants and host populations.

  • More than 100 Roma people left Belfast after attacks in 2009.
  • Trouble emerged at an international Northern Ireland vs. Poland football match in 2009, and Polish flags were burned 2011 and 2012.
• There can sometimes be religious tensions between multicultural communities. Hate Crimes against Muslims in London have been on the rise since. In 2014 there were 500 hate crimes against Muslims. In 2015, the number increased to 800. In Belfast, tensions between the Catholic republicans and protestant loyalists led to "The Troubles". Much of the conflict centred on the large working-class populations of each group within inner-city Belfast.
• A mix of cultures can result in a mix of languages. There are over 300 languages spoken in London. However, this large number can lead to problems:

  • Those with limited English may find it difficult to access public services, benefits, etc.
  • Access to healthcare can become problematic with limited English.
  • Over 300 different languages are spoken in London
• • The average driver in London spends 83 hours / year in traffic.
  • Congestion costs the London economy £4 billion / year.
  • 1 million are estimated to live in poverty in London.
  • A single journey in the London underground is £6.
  • A monthly travel card is £33 more expensive than in New York.
  • Parking rate costs more than minimum wage and is hard to find
• It costs over £8 an hour to park in London, which is higher than minimum wage.
• much of inner city housing was constructed in the 19th and 20th century and they are often small and in disrepair (newtownards road, Belfast)