Spatial Mismatch
There are many issues that plague our cities today and one of these most prominent issues is spatial mismatch. First, let me define the phrase spatial mismatch. "It means that employers who are looking to hire unskilled or semi-skilled workers are far from potential employees in the city or inner-ring suburbs."(Regionwise, pg. 4). However, there are plans and solutions that can help eliminate this situation. Individuals without efficient transportation are not able to obtain these out of reach job opportunities according to conflict theory. Conflict theory associates itself by "who has the power over resources" therefore, consequences that arise from this phenomenon are the desertion of downtown, which "diminishes our regional competitiveness, worsens traffic congestion, increases the costs of highways and other infrastructure, separates the rich and the poor - the have and have nots and abandons structures that could still be used" (Region Wise, pg. 18). Due to conflict theory, those individuals who come from low income families are considered to be insubordinate because of their position in society, which causes spatial mismatch. When jobs are returned to the city and closer to potential employees, it
"If transportation systems in American cities could be laid out so as to provide an opportunity for poor people to get meaningful employment, then they could begin to move into the mainstream of American life" (Sanchez, pg. 284) In order for this action to take its course, three sub plans need to be put into place. These plans are to rehabilitate existing housing to make it affordable, increase the efficiency of mass transit, and increase government assistance. Thus, bringing a resolution of investing in inner city roads rather than newly established suburban roads. In the efforts of avoiding spatial mismatch, the city must be extremely accessible for individuals residing a few miles from their jobs. Therefore, the city should invest in inner city roads and mass transportation rather than expanding the roads to the suburban areas. The first step in accomplishing this would be to limit or eradicate the expansion of highways and streets outside of the city limits to allow access to new businesses. By doing this, the government would be making newly established businesses liable for their own transportation to the area. This reduces the appeal for businesses to locate in the suburbs. Also, this contributes to the elimination of spatial mismatch by deterring the growth of businesses outside of the city. Also the city, with the reintroduction of jobs, is a lessened appearance of abandonment. When businesses are enticed back into the city, they will occupy an existing structure, which takes up a vacant space. Therefore, the city looks fuller and there is "life" brought back to the city. Consequently, the city will receive a reduction in cost for rejuvenating these buildings rather than building brand new ones. Businesses looking and wanting to relocate in the city use structures th
Some common words found in the essay are:
Plans Action, Saint Louis, Region Wise, Efficiency Act, St Louis, Theory Individuals, , Employment SLATE, spatial mismatch, effects spatial, conflict theory, saint louis, plan action, Civil Disorders, effects spatial mismatch, city limits, Louis City, inner city roads, government assistance, st louis, businesses locate, potential employees, city limits allow, efficiency mass transit,
Approximate Word count = 1215
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|