Definition
Key Term
The unequal distribution of
Spatial Inequality
wealth or resources in an area.
The overall level of comfort
and well being of a group or a
country
Standard of Living
The movement of people from Urbanization
rural to urban areas, resulting
in the growth of urban areas.
Worsening economic
Rural Decline
conditions in rural areas, such
as high unemployment and
poverty , which pushes people
towards cities .
Word Used in an Academic
Sentence
Definition
Key Term
Word Used in an Academic
Sentence
The unequal distribution of
wealth or resources in an area
Spatial Inequality
In Houston, all the wealth is
centered around the
Downtown area, with the poor
neighborhoods to the north
and south.
The overall level of comfort
and well being of a group or a
country
Standard of Living
The United States enjoys a
high standard of living when
compared to Bangladesh.
The movement of people from Urbanization
rural to urban areas, resulting
in the growth of urban areas.
The rise in the number of
people moving to Houston
from the country is an
example of Urbanization
Worsening economic
Rural Decline
conditions in rural areas, such
as high unemployment and
poverty , which pushes people
towards cities .
As a result of 3 consecutive
crop failures, many families in
rural Mexico moved towards
Mexico city in search of a
better life.
Human Geography: Spatial
Inequality
Mexico City and Houston Case Study
What is Spatial Inequality?
• Spatial inequality  What does this mean?
– Spatial = Area or Space
– Inequality = uneven
• Spatial inequality occurs when:
“there is an uneven distribution of resources or wealth
in an area.”
• In your own words: What is Spatial inequality?
“Mister – its when there is a rich part of Houston were
the rich people work, then the poor parts which
people don’t want to go to.”
Picture 1:
• What do you see in this
picture?
• How does picture
capture the idea of
spatial inequality?
• What can you infer
about why people live
where they do, based
on this picture?
• How can you determine
where the rich and poor
people live in this area?
Rural Decline and Urban Migration
• Historically…..
– the people of Mexico
have been farmers
– Farming in Mexico
evolved from
Subsistence farming to
Commercial farming.
– Mexican farmers would
grow beans, vegetables,
corn.
Mexico City
Rural Decline and Urban Migration
• However…
– Drought, poor soil, and bad
crops have forced
thousands of peoples to
leave their farms and move
to the cities in search of
new jobs.
– Today, only 15 % of all land
in Mexico is suitable for
farming.
– The high cost of fertilizer,
land (rent), and machinery
has also forced people to
abandon their jobs as
farmers.
• As a result…
– People are moving to the
cities in waves in search of
a better life, higher paying
jobs, and better schools for
their children.
Urbanization Creates New Problems
• Between 1970 and 1990 over 1,000 people a day
moved to Mexico City.
• What Kind of problems might this cause for Mexico
City?
– Overcrowding  too many people, too little land.
• There is not enough land for everyone to have an equal part
– Inadequate Infrastructure  The city can not support
the influx of people, sewers clog, electricity goes on
and off
– Pollution  People are getting sick from the pollution
they breath.
– Lack of fresh water Clean water is in short supply
– Increase in crime rates  people who can not find jobs
tend to commit crimes in order to survive.
Picture 2: What do you See????????
Have’s and Have Not’s
• Have's:
– Members of Mexico City’s
middle and upper class.
– Wealthy, large landowners
– Live in large homes, with
modern security for
protection
– Hire “have not’s” to work
around their homes as
cooks, cleaners, gardeners
– Children go to the best
schools, and will take on
the family business.
• Have Not’s:
– Many of Mexico City’s
have-nots live in the Slums:
garbage dumps and areas
of poor land quality.
– Have little private
possession, look for
anything of value to sell
– Lack basic needs:
electricity, health care,
food, clean water
– Called “working poor”
because these people do
have jobs, however these
jobs pay very little.
Houston, Texas
What makes a nice or bad
neighborhood in Houston
• Nice….
• Bad…..
• River Oaks,
Houston
Texas # 16
• Fifth Ward,
Houston,
Texas #2
• Distance
between
River Oaks
and Fifth
Ward = 4
miles.
River Oaks vs. Fifth Ward,
Houston Texas
• Comparison:
– Annual Average Income
River Oaks: $209,000
Fifth Ward: $8,200
River Oaks: >1%
Fifth Ward: 61 %
River Oaks: .01
Fifth Ward: 15
River Oaks: 87 %
Fifth Ward: 2 %
River Oaks: 17,727
Fifth Ward: 22,646
– Number of people living below poverty line
(23,000 $):
– Number of Ex-felons living in the area:
(per 1000 people)
– Number of people with a college degree:
– Population: