CGP Urban Issues

• Economic inequality

  The unequal distribution of money amongst a population
• Economic inequalities are higher in the developing world than in developed countries
• Reason for higher economic inequality in developing countries

  Many developing countries lack the resources to support their poorest citizens, whereas most developed nation have welfare states which provide basic services and income for people who are struggling financially
• Issues caused by economic inequality in cities

  • Political and social unrest, eg, rioting
  • A rise in crime, drug use and violence
  • Health problems, eg. cities with higher levels of income inequality have more malnourished children
• Cities tend to be culturally diverse-they have a wide mix of people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds
• Benefits of cultural diversity in cities

  • Ethnic diversity can enrich a city's character and increase tolerance
  • Cultural events and ethnic quarters within a city can attract tourists, boosting the city's economy
• Problems caused by cultural diversity in cities

  • Tensions between different groups, sometimes leading to violence
  • Increased pressure on services, eg, schools may need extra staff for pupils who can't speak the native language
  • Minority communities can feel isolated and under-represented politically
• Social segregation


  When different groups are separated from each other, eg poorer people or people from a particular ethnic background are concentrated in a specific area of a city
• Causes of social segregation

  • Voluntary, eg, followers of a particular religion may choose to settle close to their place of worship
  • Forced, eg, many Roma people in Italy can't access social housing, so they end up in camps on city outskirts
• Issues caused by social segregation in urban areas

  • Lack of integration between different groups can cause prejudice and discrimination
  • People in some areas may have less access to education and jobs, widening inequalities
  • Segregation can lead to anxiety and have negative impacts on health and life expectancy
  • In developing countries, poorer areas may lack access to facilities, eg, electricity, clean water, public transport. They are also more likely to be close to industry and rubbish dumps, affecting health and wellbeing
• Strategies to reduce poverty and economic inequalities in urban areas

  • Improving transport systems can make it easier for the urban poor to access jobs
  • Subsidising the construction of affordable housing can help less wealthy people to buy property
  • Introducing minimum wages can help to stabilise wage inequalities between the poor and rich
  • Governments can offer subsidies for new companies, increasing local employment opportunities
  • In developing countries, many cities have introduced upgrading programmes for slums settlements
  • Investments in road-building, sanitation, drainage and water supply increase the quality of informal housing
• Strategies to encourage social and cultural integration

  • Governments can encourage political participation of minority groups, eg, by sending postcards and text messages encouraging them to vote. This ensures minority groups have opportunities to influence decision-making
  • Governments can pass laws, eg to prevent companies discriminating against employees on the basis of race
  • New developments can include luxury homes and lower-cost housing, reducing divisions between rich and poor
  • Communities can help ease racial tensions, eg by involving different groups in projects to clean off racist graffiti