Introduction to Urban Sociology

A process that pushes individuals or groups into marginalized spaces, often due to power imbalances between social classes, ethnicities, and state policies.

A term that describes urban inequality in post-industrial societies, characterized by unstable jobs, fragmented communities, and the stigma of living in marginalized neighborhoods.

Negative stereotypes about certain areas that harm residents' self-worth and opportunities, affecting how governments, businesses, and society treat these neighborhoods.

Areas in American cities historically segregated to isolate African Americans, characterized by extreme poverty, segregation, and class divisions within the Black community.

Neighborhoods in European cities driven by class differences rather than race, usually less enclosed and lacking the same shared community identity as American ghettos.

Sociologist Loïc Wacquant's concept that examines how social, economic, and political forces interact to create and maintain marginalized spaces, using the framework of symbolic power to understand these interactions.

A concept by Pierre Bourdieu that refers to power that is exerted through symbols, ideas, and beliefs, shaping how marginalized communities are perceived and treated.

Ferdinand Tönnies' ideas about Gemeinschaft (community) and Gesellschaft (society), which can help understand how social bonds and relationships change in modern, urban environments.

A close-knit social structure characterized by strong personal relationships, shared traditions, and emotional bonds. Common in rural or small-town settings where people know each other well and participate in collective activities.

A social structure characterized by impersonal, individualistic, and transactional relationships. Common in urban, industrialized areas where people focus on self-interest and efficiency.

The shift from Gemeinschaft to Gesellschaft, driven by urbanization and industrialization. It involves a loss of traditional bonds and a move towards contractual, rational relationships.

The process of middle-class individuals moving into working-class neighborhoods, leading to physical, economic, and cultural changes. Often results in renovated properties, increased housing costs, and displacement of original residents.

A theory that explains gentrification as a result of cultural shifts and preferences among the growing professional middle class. It emphasizes the demand for urban amenities and diverse lifestyles.

The debate about whether gentrification is primarily driven by economic systems or individual actions.

The debate about whether gentrification is primarily driven by capital investments in urban areas (production) or by cultural demand from those seeking urban lifestyles (consumption).

A theory explaining the link between gentrification and urban restructuring trends that started in the 1970s.

The difference between the potential rental income of a property and its current, often lower, actual rent. This gap motivates investors to renovate and increase rent, attracting new residents and displacing existing ones.

The theory that gentrification is driven primarily by capitalist forces, where developers and investors see opportunities for profit in neglected neighborhoods and invest to increase property values.

The idea that gentrification is driven by a combination of demand-side factors (preferences of middle-class individuals seeking urban living) and supply-side factors (profit-driven investors seeking to capitalize on undervalued areas).

The shift from suburbanization to urban core revitalization, marked by increased investments in formerly neglected urban areas.

The role of cultural and economic factors in shaping gentrification, including the desire for desirable urban lifestyles among professionals and the attraction of cultural hubs for affluent residents.

The phenomenon of gentrification driven by international migration, where wealthy professionals from other countries move to and transform specific urban areas, often linked to tourism.

Areas within a city dominated by foreign residents, often resulting from gentrification and tourism, leading to cultural and social changes for local communities.

A city's layout reflects different social groups competing for space, like plants in an ecosystem adapting to specific habitats.

As new groups enter an area, existing residents might move out, leading to shifts in the neighborhood's makeup (e.g., immigrants replacing earlier residents).

Residing farther from the city center often indicates social progress (e.g., climbing the economic ladder from a working-class area to a middle-class one).

Uneven distribution of students from various backgrounds across schools, reflecting broader societal differences (e.g., income gaps and residential patterns).

Dutch parents are free to pick schools for their children, bypassing neighborhood restrictions, but the freedom often leads to segregation.

Individuals from different cultural and economic groups often reside in distinct neighborhoods, impacting school demographics due to income, migration, and gentrification.

The model helps understand urban sprawl, gentrification, and migration patterns, although outdated, offering insights into urban dynamics.

The model oversimplifies urban development by focusing solely on the CBD and neglecting historical, cultural, and political factors.

Student populations in schools are influenced by where families live, not just by school choices.

Ethnic minority groups are more likely to be in schools with a higher concentration of their own ethnicity than in neighborhoods.

The wealth and education levels of parents contribute to differences in school demographics, particularly in larger cities.

The arrival of higher-income families in previously lower-income neighborhoods can alter school demographics, potentially increasing segregation based on class.

The close relationship between where people live and where they go to school.

Housing systems and urban planning in Southern Europe often favor homeownership and have less social housing, creating challenges for immigrants seeking affordable housing.

Policies that aim to create neighborhoods with a diverse range of income levels and housing options can help address school segregation.

Even in places with many school options, the patterns of where people live significantly impact how equal educational opportunities are.

When rising rents and house prices force lower-income residents to relocate from their homes.

The conflict that arises when different social groups clash over changes in a neighborhood, often caused by gentrification.

The transformation of affordable rental units into expensive properties, reducing housing options for those with lower incomes.

The increased inequality that can result from gentrification, where richer groups benefit while poorer groups are marginalized.

The positive aspects of gentrification, including improvements in housing quality, infrastructure, and economic growth.

The idea that gentrification can lead to a mix of different income groups in a neighborhood, though evidence for this is limited.

The complex effects of gentrification on crime, which can vary depending on the context; some studies show a decrease in crime due to displacement, while others report an increase as affluent newcomers become targets.