Urban Problems

Michael ItagakiSociology 102, Social Problems

The Sociological Perspective

The Global Urban movement 200 years ago, 3% lived in towns of

5,000 or more Today, half live in cities

In 1800, 6% of Americans lived in towns 2,500 or more

Today, 4 of 5 Americans live in cities

Figure 12.1 (p. 390)U.S. Population, Rural and UrbanSource: By the author, based on U.S. Bureau of the Census; Statistical Abstract of the United States 2003: Table 30. The projections from 200 to 2110 are by the author.

The Sociological Perspective

Evolution of Cities Agriculture

City: Large number of people who live in one place and don’t produce their own food

Development of plow, led to agricultural surplus

Industrial revolution of 1700s and 1800s sparked an urban revolution

The Sociological Perspective

Cities as Solutions Transcend limitations of farm/village Better access to work, education

Cities as Problems Difficult for people to find community Some find community in the city,

others find alienation, isolation, fear

Scope of the Problem Antiurban Bias What is Urban about Urban

Problems? City life increases social problems Urban crisis Urban sprawl

Symbolic Interaction Whyte’s Study: Street Corner

Society (1943) College Boys, Corner Boys,

Subcultures Suttles’ study

Race/ethnicity differences Anderson’s study

Regulars, wineheads, hoodlums Code of the Street

Symbolic Interaction Gentrification

Process where affluent displace poor “Improvements” to properties Increase in property value Poor can no longer afford to live there

Functionalism Burgess (1925) theory of

concentric zones Five zones

Figure 12.4 (p. 397)Burgess' Concentric Zone Theory of the Growth of the CitySource: From Ernest W. Burgess. "The Growth of the City: An Introduction to a Research Project" in The City. Robert E. Park, Ernest W. Burgess, and Roderick D. McKenzie, eds. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1925. (Pages 47-62 in the 1967 edition). Reprinted with the permission of the University of Chicago Press.

Functionalism Burgess (1925) theory of

concentric zones Five zones

Mobility Commute to work, school,

recreation Move to live in better zones Invasion-Succession cycle

Displacement vs. feeling unwelcome

Functionalism Burgess (1925) theory of

concentric zones Five zones

Mobility Zone Transition and social

problems Zone II, city’s poverty is

concentrated Regeneration (urban renewal)

Conflict Theory Class conflict: Objectives of the

wealthy vs. the poor City used to be only center of industry Advent of the highways

Manufacture products in outlying areas Moving jobs away from city

Paradoxical paradigm downtown

Bowling Alone Discussion: Read edited press

release for Putnam’s book Are we becoming less social and

more individualistic? Why do you think so? Cite some examples you observe to

support your argument

Table 12.2 (p. 413)The Fastest-Growing and Shrinking U.S. Cities

Table 12.3 (p. 414)Population Change of U.S. Regions