Urban Sociology - Lecture 01-April 20, 2015

URBAN SOCIOLOGY
I.

Definition of Terms:

Urban
-

characterized by higher density in population

- accessibility/distant (disintegrated) family

- land inside an urban with many or compact/densely
buildings
- modern/highly technical
- macro-economic means
- extensive social relationships
Rural
- characterized by low density in population, land is
typically devoted to agriculture
- land outside an urban area with few or dispersed
buildings (isolated/detached) buildings
- isolated/remote/countryside/traditional
- closer family ties (integrated)/intensive relationship
- micro economic means
- intensive social relationship

Town

- human settlement larger than a village but smaller

than a city.
- organized and regularly built urban settlement with
housing services and employment for its inhabitants,
and some form of elected independent
administrative body.
- Ex. Entire city is celebrating a town fiesta
Village
- clustered human settlement or community, larger
than a hamlet (rural community or small town)
- ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand,
normally permanent with fixed dwellings, however
transient villages can occur.
Cities
- relatively large and permanent settlement which
have a particular administrative, legal, or historical
status based on local law.
- Ex. Makati City, Taguig City, Caloocan City, San Juan
City, Quezon City, Pasig City.
- center of commerce, population and central business
district.

Society

- group of people related to each other through

persistent relations.
- large social grouping sharing the same geographical
or virtual territory, subject to same political authority
and dominant cultural expectations.
- Latin word derived from the noun socius (comrade,
friend, ally) used to:
*

a bond or interaction among parties that are

friendly, or at least civil.

*
organized group of persons associated together
for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political,
patriotic or other purposes.
Metropolitan
- an extensive urban area,
often the merging of
adjacent urban settlements as they expand, or the
built-up areas surrounding a major urban center.
-

Ex. Manila.

District
- region or an area of land with certain distinguishing
characteristics, geographical features, local culture
or livelihood.

- division of territory.
-

defined portion of a state, town, or city, etc. made

for administrative, electoral, or other purposes such
as a congressional district, judicial district, land
district, school district,
Ex. Intramuros District, Roxas District, etc.

Suburbs
- a smaller area which is part of the city or large town
but outside the center.
Societal
- pertaining to larger social groups or to their
activities, affiliations, religions, community, public,
collective, etc.
Sociology
- a scientific study of society.
- studies role of the institutions in the development of
the individuals.
- great importance in the solution of social problems
contribution to enrich human culture.
Urban Sociology
- sociological study of cities and their role in the
development of society.

- sociological study of the various statistics among the

population in cities such as population, geo-politics,
economics, etc.
- sociological study of social life and human interaction
in metropolitan areas.
- a disciple of sociology seeking to study the
structures, processes, changes and problems of an
urban area.
- a study of process by which rural areas become
transformed into urban areas.
-

refers to the changes in the proportion of the

population of nation living in the urban center.

- a course which deals with the study of societal

conditions in the Philippines, especially in urban
centers where sociological input has influence in
design; also includes a study of the social aspects of
housing and an overview of urban settings in other
countries.

Urban Sociologists Uses:

- statistical analysis
- observation
- social theory

interviews
other methods to study a range of topics: migration
and demographic trends, economics, poverty, race
relations, economic trends, housing and settlements,
etc.

Urban Area
- characterized by higher population density and vast
human features in comparison to areas surrounding
it.
- it may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the terms
is not commonly extended to rural settlements such
as villages and hamlets.
Rural Areas
- are large and isolated areas of an open country with
low population density. Forests, wetlands, and other
areas with a low population density is otherwise
called.
Urbanized area
- central city with at least 50,000 population density
of at least
per mile.

Urbanization

- rural areas become urban areas

- increase in population concentration
- changes in social organization
Urbanism
- city life, the typical way of life of people who live in a
city or town
-

study of life in cities and towns

- social and behavioral response to living in certain

places
- studying how individuals perceive and navigate the
urban landscape, explores the presence of time and
history in the urban environment how these external
factors affect people
- study of how inhabitants of towns and cities interact
with the built environment.
Megalopolis
- densely populated areas containing 2 or more cities
and their suburbs.
Global city
- international trade rather than domestic trade and
commerce
Exurb
- neighborhood on the edge of suburbs
Exurbanites

- rule affluent, well-educated professionals who seek

to reside in rustic (rural) setting
Edge city
- offices, dwellings without historical downtown core,
along highways, sprawl and poorly planned
residential that spreads from the city center.
Ecology
- A branch of biology dealing with the relations and
interactions
between
organisms
and
their
environment.
Urban Ecology
- one branch of ecology that deals with the urban
communities, habitats, and ecosystems, organisms
and their site conditions as well as structure.
- a multidisciplinary approach to improve living
conditions for the human population in cities,
referring to the ecological functions of urban habitats
or ecosystems for people.
Urban Footprint
- area of land needed to provide the resources used
and absorb the wastes produced by a community
that may vary depending on the communitys level of
consumption and waste production.

- Includes land conversions, landfills, reclaiming

wetlands, open mines for quarrying building
materials and deforestation.
Urban migration
- settlement of persons or groups of people in another
country, region with a change of season to another
place
-

seasonal movement of people, animals, fish and

some mammals.

Urbanite
-

city dweller, somebody who lives in a city or town

Gemeinschaft (kind of society)

- any arrangements that involved:
*
intimate, private and exclusive living together in
a single community
*
convey
a
particular
intensity
of
social
integration.
*
individual is socially immersed as a segment of a
social unity, a component of the whole - with that
whole being the group
Gesellschaft

(kind of society)

- society intended to signify public life - it is the

world without intimate ties.

Both is to express the distinction between life in

small-scale rural societies and life in the growing
urban order.

Climate change
- caused by the burning of fossil fuels to generate
energy
- resulted in an accumulation of greenhouse gases
causing a rise in world temperatures and changes in
weather patterns.
Global warming
- Reduce carbon dioxide emissions which come from
three main sources such as productive industry
including power generation, energy inefficiency in
housing and industry and transport, especially road
vehicles.
II. Social Structure: Classification of Cities Based on
Local Government of 1991 (Republic Act No.
7160)
1.

Highly Urbanized Cities

Cities with a minimum population of

hundred thousand
(200,000.00) inhabitants,
*

as certified by NSO and

two

*
and with the latest annual income of at least
Fifty Million
Pesos
the city

in 1991 constant prices, as certified by

treasurer.

There are currently 33 highly urbanized cities in the

Philippines, 16 of them are located in Metro Manila.
2.

Independent Component Cities

Cities whose charter (formal written statement

describing the
rights and responsibilities of a state or
citizens) prohibit their
voters
from
voting
for
provincial
elective officials and are independent
of
the province.
Ex.

Intramuros

There are five such as:

Ormoc and Santiago
3.

Dagupan, Cotabato, Naga,

Component Cities (section/part)

Cities which do not meet the above requirements are

considered component cities of the province in which
they are geographically
located.

Statutory
(Constitutional/Legas)
Classification of Cities by Population
1.

First Class

Bases

For

Cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. Once

a city is in the
first class, it is not reclassified unless its
population
decreases
by 25 percent from the census figures that last
qualified the city as first class.
Ex. Makati City, Muntinlupa City, Taguig City

2.

Second Class

Cities with a population between 20,001 and

100,000.
Ex. Navotas, Legaspi Albay, Tanauan Batangas.

3.

Third Class

Cities with a population between 10,001 and

20,000.
Ex. Roxas City Capiz, Tagbilaran Bohol, Malolos
Bulacan.

4.

Fourth Class
Cities with not more than 10,000 inhabitants.

Ex. Iriga Camarines Sur, Cavite City, Samal Davao del

Norte.

III.

Factors Affecting Urban Growth

1.

Population
>

limited space, unemployment, etc.

> rising population rate dictate the demand for

development.

2.

Religion and Cultural Factors

> people with common beliefs tends to group

themselves and
nestle among their comfort
zones thus producing a more
specific
community that would soon grow.
3.

Technology
>

innovations lead to the moving-forward type of

development that would trigger growth
of a community
from simple village to a
industrialized urban area.
4.

Agriculture

> fast changing industry compromises the

agricultural portion
of a vicinity thus must
have careful planning and must be
moved away
from the city.

5.

Economy
> as cities grow and gaps in wealth disparity
widen,
>
economic problems rise, one issue that can
occur is the separation of the wealthy and the poor
in urban areas as a
result of unequal access to
economic opportunities,
> resulting in the creation of slums (are usually
characterized
by slack (loose) economic activity
and a lack of opportunity for residents.

6.

Transportation
>

highly complex because of the modes involved,

the
multitude of origins and destinations,
and the amount and
variety of traffic.
7.

Tourism
>

influx of local and foreign tourists

> due to rich

civilization results to
8.

history and heritage of any

fast growing urbanism

Industrialization
>
the Industrial Revolution of the period increased
the number of urban jobs and encouraged rural

residents to move to urban centers for work and

improved standard of living.
9.

Safety and Sanitation

>
having lots of people living in close proximity
can lead to the spread of disease and crime levels
can rise along with
population density.
> because of changing times,
introduced in a more urbanized area.

utilities

are

10. Gentrification
> Urban planners usually seek to offset urban
decay through
gentrification, whereby wealthier
citizens are urged to buy property and invest in
poorer neighborhoods under the
assumption that
it will help improve conditions for all in the area.
11. Human Factors
*

Political - intervention of the government like RH

Economic - increase in cost of commodities, fuel,

Bill
etc.
*
Sociological
addition, etc.

- peace and order, crimes, drug

12. There are better basic services as well as other

specialist services that arent found in rural areas.
13. Health is another major factor

14. Urbanization
>
occurs naturally from individual and corporate
efforts to
reduce time and expense in commuting and
transportation.
15. Water Supply
>
as an essential for daily living, sustainable
water supply as limited
resource,
alternative
developments in search for
new sources of water.
(Water supply is limited because of many
people
migrate in urban areas)
16. Environmental Problem
>
pollution, as one major threats, atmospheric
pollution is also known as air pollution, potential of
exposure to the radiation, producing an effect to
every organism.

17. Food Production

> as the population increases, the doubt in the
ability of the agriculturists to meet the demands of
the consumers. Because of growing population,
food production is limited.
Quality of soil is not that good enough because
of the
expansion of urban areas.

18. Urban Sprawl (spread out/collapse)

>
IV.

summation of the other factors mentioned above

Stimulus of Urban Growth

Stimulus

> something that attract people to live, settle,

work, put up
business operations
> an agent, actions, or condition that unites or
rouses people
to action; an incentive.
Something that rouses or incites to activity : as
a.
b.
c.

incentive
stimulant
an agent (as an environmental change - what
kind of environment you will have, is it a
peaceful and secured environment

Example
-

pay raise is stimulant for production

heat and light are physical stimuli

Ringing of the bell stimulates a student to move

another
class

Stimulus to Urban Growth or Causes of Urban

Growth
1.

sudden changes within a city

2.

cheaper real estate and housing costs

3.

need for businesses to be near sources of labor

4.

increase in commercial lending practices

5.

increase family income

6. higher property and business taxes in the cities have

pushed business to the suburbs where taxes are
generally low.
4.

aggravation of chronic traffic problems

traditional central business districts (CBDs)

in

the

Effects of Urban Growth

*

Infrastructure outside the urban

Commute to cities in their automobiles

Increasing dependence on automobiles

Concerns over environmental issues

Disintegration of the social capital

Reduced housing

V.

Urbanism:

Growth of Cities

Brief Introduction
*

Urbanism
-

the characteristics way of life of a city dwellers

study of physical needs of urban societies

character
organization and
of the

of

life in the
problems

cities,

urban

life,

movement of the population to, or concentration

population in, the cities

New Urbanism
approach to designing cities, town,
neighborhoods, although
the term new urbanism
emerge during late 1980s and early
1990s.
The Principles of New Urbanism
1.

Accessibility

most things within a 10-minute walk of

home and work
-

pedestrian friendly street design (buildings

street, porches, windows and doors

tree-lined streets; on the street parking,

parking lots

garages in rear lane, narrow, slow speed

close to
hidden
streets.

2.

Connectivity

interconnected street grid network

disperses traffic
and eases walking
and alleys

a hierarchy of narrow streets, boulevards,

high quality pedestrian network and public

realm
(kingdom, empire, territory)
makes walking
pleasurable
3.

Mixed-Use and Diversity

a mix of shops, offices, apartments, and

homes on site
blocks and

mixed-use within neighborhoods, within

within buildings.

diversity of people of ages, income levels,

cultures and
races
4.

Mixed Housing

proximity
5.

range of types, sizes and prices in closer

Quality Architecture and Urban Design

emphasis of beauty, aesthetics, human

comfort, and
creating sense of place
within

special placement of civic uses and sites

community

human scale architecture and beautiful

surroundings
nourish human spirit
6.

Traditional Neighborhood Structure

-

discernable center and edge

public space at center

open space

importance of quality public realm; public

designed as civic art

within 10-

contains a range of uses and densities

minute walk

Urban Sociology Lecture 02 - July 16, 2014

URBAN ECOLOGY:
I.

CONDITIONS OF CITY GROWTH

Definition of Terms
Ecology
- a branch of biology dealing with the relations
and
interactions between organisms
and their environment.
Urban Ecology
- In Natural Science, it is one branch of ecology
that deals with the urban communities, habitats,
and ecosystems,
organizations and their site
conditions as well as structure.

II.

Importance of the Study of Urban Ecology

1. identify and understand the natural systems within
a city

2. identify the threats that face the natural system

within a city
3. develop awareness among citizens that their city is
a part of living ecosystem with valuable resources
4. achieve greater sustainability, both for humanity
and the natural world
III. Key Players In A City
Leading agents: financial institutions, which
establishes the conditions for investments o Industrial Firms factories, manufacturers,
processing centers
o Developers - real estates, mid and high rise
buildings/condominiums
o Investors - capitalists, financiers, public-private
partnerships, manufacturers, distributors, etc.
o Companies - trading, shipping, recruitment, ,
food supply, drug companies, etc.
o Institutions - schools, training centers, churches,
religious sectors, etc.
Government Agents - a representative or official of
a government or administrative department of a
government.
o Office of the President
o Departments Bureaus, Attached Agencies
o Commissions Civil Service Commission,
Commission on Elections,
o Administrations

o Authorities - Police, Military, Mayors, Senators,

Congressmen and
Senators and Environmental/Traffic Enforcers.
Families - a basic social unit consisting of a parents
and their children, considered as a group whether
dwelling together.
On the basis of marriage:
Polygamous - practice of having more
than one mate at a time
Polyandrous - custom of having more
than husband at the same time in
societies where this is legal.
Monogamous - having only one
husband, wife, or partner, having only
one
husband,
wife,
or
sexual
relationship at a time. (faithful)
On the basis of the nature of residence
Family of matrilocal residence
Family of patrilocal residence
Family of changing residence
On the basis of size and structure
Nuclear or single unit family
Joint Family
On the basis of the nature of relations

 Conjugal
family
(relating
marriage)
Consanguine Family
(related by blood or birth)

to

by

IV. Positive Effects of City Growth That Caused

Urban Migration
Migration - sufficient supply of electricity in
the urban areas due to more people and
more income for the distributors like
Meralco,
Water Supply - more dams built for people
and dont have to pump wells just to get
water
Food - sufficient supply due to more
factories, continuous supply of food from
the rural areas
Communication - capable of buying a
communication device such as cellphones,
landlines, internet, ipad, etc.
Transportation
people
can
choose
whatever transportation they want to ride in
order for them to their destination, it can be
jeepney, bus, LRT, MRT, TRICYCLES, FX,
shuttle service, etc.

 Job Opportunities - more available jobs in

the city
Education - people want to be educated so
that they can get a better job, thus triggers
the expansion of schools and universities.
Health Care - people could get free checkups or have membership for a health card or
discount card. Ex. Philhealth
Tourism - facilitates an interaction between
communities and visitors. If a city has a
strong tourism more jobs will be available.
If tourism increases poverty reduces.
Safety and Sanitation - because of the
changing times, utilities are introduced in a
more urbanized area.
Urban Sprawl - this is a summation of the
other factors mentioned above.
V.

Negative Effects of City Growth

Less Pollination
- Because of urbanization a disturbance
occurred on the life of bees. Bee colonies
are
decreasing
because
pesticides
genetically modified crops, toxins in the

environment, climate change, etc. Bees are

the number one pollinator in the earth
without them there will be no food for us.
Health Problems
- urbanization caused more pollination in the
natural environment that caused health
problems not only to humans but also to
animals
Urban Migration
*

Squatters

Because some people can keep up with the

fast development in the city, they end up
being unemployed and become an informal
settlers because it will cost less than having
their own house.
*

Drifters

Some find their luck in the city then end up

not achieving anything and had no choice
but sleep in the streets. Others want to stay
in the street because they just ask for alms.
Desperate people lead themselves to
commit crimes because they cant figure out

where to get money from especially in times

of needs.
Urban Footprint (trail, footsteps,
imprints, marks, traces)
Landfills
- Because more people are living in the
city there are more waste production
and the most common method to deal
with it is through landfills. If landfills are
done in an improper way it can
contaminate the soil that will affect the
whole environment.
Mining
People get minerals from caves to
make other building materials or
jewelries. People do not mind the
dangers of continuous mining of
minerals.
It can cause landlines and mineral
leaks that can contaminate the fresh
water.
Quarrying

People get limestone from the

earth and use it as one of the
ingredients in producing cement and
other building materials.
People do not know that cement
production is a primary contributor to
the emission of greenhouse gases plus
because of high demand for cement
there is a need for more quarrying thus
changing the shape of the surface and
minerals from the surface decreases.
*

Reclaiming Wetlands
Because

growing population
there is demand
for
further
expansion even the coastal areas
wherein developers
or
government
officials do
not
consider
the
dangers that might occur.
*

of

Land Conversions
Another

method

of
urban
agricultural

expansion where
areas are converted to urban areas
thus decreases the food production for the
whole
community.
>

Urban Atmosphere

Heat Island Effect

Conversion of space into an urban

environment
that
absorbs and stores
it in
large thermal masses, (aspalt)
*

Burning Fossil Fuels

People use the fuel to make gas for

our
cars, to make electricity
for our own homes,
to
run
factories and power plants.
*

world
pollution.
>

Factories
Billions of factories around the
releasing

Urban Water
O
0
0

city, water

Lack of water for irrigation

Water Pollution
Sedimentation
Because of undisciplined citizens of the
pollution occurs

Because of continuous mining and/or

construction of
roads and building
sediments go to rivers or any water
bodies which will cause contamination on the
water.

VI. LIMITATIONS OF URBAN GROWTH (SEEP)

1.

Ecological
*
*

2.

Social Limitations
*
*
*
*

3.

Technology
Education
Medical Services
Amenities

Political limitations
*
*
*

4.

Waste disposal
Sustainability

Government
Police
Military

Economic Limitations
*
*
*
*

Currency
Trade
Industry
Job

There are also limitations when urban area is

growing. As the urban grows, our ecological, social,
political and economical are being limited also.