Urban Social Deprivation (DP IB Geography): Revision Note

Social Deprivation

• There is significant inequality in urban areas both in HICs and LICs

• In many areas groups and areas are experiencing social deprivation

• Social deprivation can be defined as people or communities lacking access to the resources they need to have a reasonable quality of life

• In the UK social deprivation is measured on the index of multiple deprivation which measures deprivation using measures of:

  • Income

  • Employment

  • Education

  • Health

  • Crime

  • Housing and services

  • Environment

Cycle of deprivation

• The cycle of deprivation occurs when poverty is passed from one generation to the next

• The limited resources of one generation mean that the next generation's opportunities are limited

  • Parents can't afford or access educational resources, which disadvantages their children

• The educational disadvantages mean that educational attainment is lower and this affects job prospects

• Lower standards of living and low incomes affect health and well-being

Barcelona

• Barcelona has a population of over 5.7 million people

• The highest levels of deprivation in Barcelona are located in:

  • El Raval which is an inner city area with old, substandard housing 

  • Can Peguera is situated at the city edge 

    • It is one of a number of estates of social housing built in the 1960s

• Deindustrialisation in the 1970s and 1980s led to unemployment in Barcelona reaching 20%

  • Leading many areas to become rundown and derelict

• The areas of deprivation have a number of features in common, including:

  • Low and very low incomes

  • Higher than average unemployment

  • Higher than average numbers of single-parent families

  • Lower levels of educational attainment

  • Higher incidence of crime and anti-social behaviour

Geographic Patterns of Crime

• Crime rates are higher in urban and industrial areas

• Much crime is concentrated in areas of high population densities

  • The exceptions to this are crimes such as fraud and sexual offences, which are more common in areas of low population density

  • The wealthier areas see car theft, kidnapping, and property damage

• Within urban areas, crime rates tend to be higher in areas of social deprivation

  • Crime is partly due to a lack of job opportunities and large-scale unemployment

  • Gangs and intimidation are more likely to rule in areas of social deprivation

  • Rates of vandalism, burglary and vehicle crimes are higher in more deprived areas

• Crime hotspots are areas where crime rates are particularly high

• These areas often have similar characteristics, including:

  • Easy access and lack of security 

  • Higher numbers of offenders

  • High levels of residential buildings

  • A lack of services

  • A lack of a police station

Managing urban crime

• There are several ways to reduce urban crime, including:

  • Increased police presence

  • Use of CCTV 

  • Improved street lights

  • Women only taxis

  • Greater number of taxi services around closing time of clubs and bars

  • Zero tolerance of crime