Why Are the Eastern Parts of Cities Poor, While the Western Parts Are Wealthy?

Think of Izmir. in the western parts Çeşme, Urla, Seferihisar While there are districts such as Buca and Kemalpaşa districts, we come across them as we move towards the east. Of course, the reasons for this distribution in cities may not always be the same, or the same situation may not occur in every city.

But some reasons really difference between east and west reveals. Let’s see together what the reasons are.

According to one theory, the reason is air pollution.

During the Industrial Revolution, the western parts of many cities in the northern hemisphere were exposed to air pollution produced by coal-burning factories. The prevailing winds in the middle latitudes, where most of the world’s cities are located, are from west to east blew.

In other words, they carried smoke and odor with them over long distances, directing the air pollution in city centers towards the east. Seems like The likelihood of regions with high pollution turning into poor regions was also increasing. The price of housing was falling, and the middle and upper classes preferred western areas.

Air pollution explains almost 20% of poverty.

This situation, which we call historical pollution, continues to exist even though almost 100 years have passed. “spatial distribution of poverty” explains. Crime rates are even rising in areas that were previously more polluted.

Of course, this is not true for every city or region. Some cities, completed their development much later or developed under different conditions it could be.

Another theory is that wealthy communities settled in the west during the development of cities.

Historical and cultural separation has been going on for years. This issue, which goes beyond just the east and west of the cities, spreads throughout the countries. While many cities developed, wealthy communities preferred the west. The poorer ones settled in the east. As wealthy families pass on their inheritance to their children by opening the scissors continued.

The West became more and more preferred by wealthy families, and high-level companies and businesses were established here. On the other hand, east They received less investment, had fewer job opportunities, received poor quality education, and faced poor health services. In short, culture, geography and historical heritage; It perpetuated the difference between east and west.

Of course to create more equal societies It is very important to identify these inequalities and take action with appropriate policies.

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