Urbanization and PopulationUrbanization and Population

Chapter 20Chapter 20In Henslin’sIn Henslin’s

Sociology: A Down To Earth Sociology: A Down To Earth ApproachApproach

Thomas Malthus (1798):Thomas Malthus (1798):

Thomas Malthus proposed that because European Thomas Malthus proposed that because European population was increasing geometrically, while population was increasing geometrically, while food supply was increasing only arithmetically, at food supply was increasing only arithmetically, at some point, the world’s population will outstrip its some point, the world’s population will outstrip its food supply.food supply.

Many agree and many disagree with this Many agree and many disagree with this pessimistic theory.pessimistic theory.

Why are people starving?Why are people starving?

Starvation is not occurring due to Starvation is not occurring due to a lack of food supplies, but rather a lack of food supplies, but rather

from mal-distribution of food, from mal-distribution of food, which is due primarily to drought which is due primarily to drought

and civil wars.and civil wars.

Why Do the Poorer Countries Have So Why Do the Poorer Countries Have So Many Children?Many Children?

Lesser Industrialized countries often view Lesser Industrialized countries often view children as gifts from God, costing little to children as gifts from God, costing little to

rear and contributing to the family’s income rear and contributing to the family’s income from an early age.from an early age.

They represent their parents social security.They represent their parents social security.

Therefore people are motivated to have Therefore people are motivated to have large families.large families.

Three Demographic Variables…Three Demographic Variables…

To compute population growth, To compute population growth, demographers use demographers use

– FertilityFertility– MortalityMortality– MigrationMigration

Births – Deaths + Net Migration = Population Births – Deaths + Net Migration = Population Growth Growth

Why Is Forecasting Difficult?Why Is Forecasting Difficult?

A nation’s growth can be influenced by many A nation’s growth can be influenced by many unanticipated variables…unanticipated variables…

»Economic CyclesEconomic Cycles

»WarWar

»FaminesFamines

»IndustrializationIndustrialization

»Governmental PoliciesGovernmental Policies

What Is the Relationship Between Cities to Farming What Is the Relationship Between Cities to Farming

and the Industrial Revolution?and the Industrial Revolution?

Cities can develop only if there is a agricultural surplus, Cities can develop only if there is a agricultural surplus, which frees people from food productions.which frees people from food productions.

The invention of the plow 5000-6000 years ago was the The invention of the plow 5000-6000 years ago was the impetus to the formation of cities.impetus to the formation of cities.

Throughout history, cities have been traditionally small.Throughout history, cities have been traditionally small. Industrialization brought increased transportation, Industrialization brought increased transportation,

communication encouraging the growth of cities.communication encouraging the growth of cities. Metropolises are larger cities which incorporate the Metropolises are larger cities which incorporate the

surrounding areas.surrounding areas. A Megalopolis is when several metropolises overlap A Megalopolis is when several metropolises overlap

each other.each other.

Proposals for the Growth of Our Proposals for the Growth of Our Cities…Cities…

The primary models are:The primary models are:» Concentric Zones.Concentric Zones.» Sector.Sector.» Multiple-Nuclei.Multiple-Nuclei.» Peripheral.Peripheral.

These models fail to account for Medieval These models fail to account for Medieval Cities, many European cities and those in Cities, many European cities and those in

Least Industrialized Nations.Least Industrialized Nations.

Are Cities Inherently Alienating?Are Cities Inherently Alienating?

While some find city dwelling alienating, While some find city dwelling alienating, others find a true of community.others find a true of community.

Several types of people who live in cities are:Several types of people who live in cities are:» Cosmopolites.Cosmopolites.» Singles.Singles.» Ethnic Villages.Ethnic Villages.» The Deprived.The Deprived.» The Trapped.The Trapped.

Why Are Cities Declining?Why Are Cities Declining?

Three major factors negatively impacting Three major factors negatively impacting cities are:cities are:

SuburbanizationSuburbanization DeindustrializationDeindustrialization DisinvestmentDisinvestment

What Is The Rural Rebound?What Is The Rural Rebound?

As more and more people flea the cities and As more and more people flea the cities and suburban areas to find more rustic and rural suburban areas to find more rustic and rural settings, population trends are moving settings, population trends are moving upward in these areas.upward in these areas.

This newly developing trend is a total This newly developing trend is a total departure from a trend that has existed for departure from a trend that has existed for hundreds of years.hundreds of years.

What Social Policies Could Save What Social Policies Could Save US Cities?US Cities?

Three guiding principles for Three guiding principles for developing workable urban social developing workable urban social policies are:policies are:

LivabilityLivability

ScaleScale

Social JusticeSocial Justice