Urban Social Landscapes and Simmel's Theory

Study Notes

Urban geographers study the spatial organization of urban society.
Early 20th-century scholars argued that urbanization led to the death of community.
Traditional communities were based on close relationships, familial ties, and shared beliefs and rituals.
These early scholars argued that urban societies focused on economic organization, leading to short-lived and superficial social interactions.
Social order in cities was based on differences and the division of labor.

Simmel argued that cities have an adverse influence on society.
Dynamic density: Larger populations lead to weaker social controls and behavior.
Rationality/impersonality: Economic relationships dominate social interactions.
Overstimulation: The constant “press” of people causes some to withdraw for privacy.
Anomie: Increased social isolation.
Deviant behavior: These factors can contribute to deviant behavior.

Burgess and Park observed social groups in specific urban contexts and how urban society is organized spatially.
Cities were viewed as “natural” or “ecological” communities.
This perspective used a scientific approach to explain social patterns based on competition for resources.
Concepts like social distance emphasized that different social groups sought to minimize contact, often achieved through spatial distance.
Neighborhoods: Distinct, sometimes segregated neighborhoods emerged due to these dynamics.
Invasion and succession: Neighborhoods experienced change over time through these processes.
Social Area Analysis: Three primary forces shape urban areas:
- Advanced job skills: Increasing importance of specialized skills.
- Family structures: Evolution of family structures.
- Residential mobility: Increased movement of people between places.

Three forces create social areas in cities:
- Socio-economic status: Economic standing and resources.
- Family status: Family formation and composition.
- Ethnic status: Cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Concerns about reinforcing racism and segregation.
Using biological sciences to explain complex human behavior is problematic and can be seen as social Darwinism.
Ignores complex social, economic, and political forces influencing human behavior.
Social identity in cities is more complex, incorporating factors like race, gender, sexuality, age, and lifestyle.

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