Illinois: Spatial Scales of Poverty

Answers gleaned in any study of poverty are in some measure a result of the spatial scale of analysis selected. This paper views poverty in Illinois from three spatial scales; the state, county, and census tract. Mapping census data reveals several facets of Illinois poverty. Illinois as a whole, is average in terms of general poverty levels, although many ofthe poor are severely impoverished. County level analysis indicates that poor rural southern Illinois contrasts with affluent urban areas. Census tract level investigation reveals that seemingly affluent urban counties in reality have a distinct internal spatial structure. The urban poor are concentrated into confined geographic areas in central cities that provide a marked contrast to the affluence enjoyed by other urban residents. Within both rural and urban Illinois high poverty rates are associated with high percentages of African-American population

Europe at the Margins: New Mosaics of Inequality by Costis Hadjimichalis and David Sadler, Editors

Since the mid 1980\u27s Europe has un122 dergone some fundamental and dramatic transformations, which include the creation of a Single Internal Market and other far reaching economic, political and social changes. The image of Europe that is touted is one of a harmony of differences, of integration, and equality. This integration and harmony is being achieved by allowing the \u27logic\u27 of the market to operate, and by engaging in a \u27social partnership.\u27 To date, focus has been on the positive aspects of integration, but a darker side exists beyond the rhetoric of a new unified and affluent Europe

Essays in Human Ecology by Donald J. Bogue. C

As we enter the twenty -first century this publication is timely, focusing on is - sues of aging that are projected to be - come increasingly important and press - ing in the near future. As the author states \u27The elderly boom will officially begin in 2011 , the 65th anniversary of the sudden upsurge in births following the end of World War II .. In the year 2000 the percent of the U.S. population aged 65 or older is estimated to be 12 .8; by 2030 this percentage is expected to have risen to over 20 percent. In the decades following 2030 the percentage of elderly Americans will probably stabilize, but within the population 65 or older increasingly large numbers of people will be aged over 85. While there are many potential problems concerning the growing percentage of el - derly population in the United States as well as lengthening l ife expectancies, the national scale is not the focus of this col - lection of five essays. Nor does the author investigate problems at the individual level. Instead five chapters look at the im - pact of population aging on the manmade environment within local communities and neighborhoods. It is argued that the transition to a population characterized by a high proportion of the elderly will bring with it significant environmental and organizational shocks, and subsequent adjustments

People, Politics, and Economic Life. An Interactive Exploration of the Appalachian Region by Thomas Plaut

Appalachia, although often suffering from negative stereotypes, is in fact a region of great multidimensional diversity. In this diversity Appalachia is typical of much of America

Contemporary Europe: A Geographic Analysis. (7th edition) by William H. Berent-sen, Editor

Europe is a continent characterized by great complexity both physically and culturally. It is a fascinating place steeped in history yet seemingly in a state of con - stant flux. The region provides a challenge to authors who endeavor to present a comprehensive view of Europe. This book targets students in introductory col - lege courses and focuses on contemporary Europe. Each chapter has a different author, writing style, approach, and struc - ture that reflects that author\u27s area of in - terest and expertise. Chapters are in - cluded that are topically focused such as those on population and urban geogra - phy, while others have a regional focus like the chapters on Great Britain and Southern Europe. The result of this approach is a text suitable to supplement a course focused on the regional geogra - phy of Europe that, by providing detailed and comprehensive information in cer - tain areas, allows instructors to spend class time presenting topics of their choice and material not covered by this book

ILLINOIS: A GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEY, ILLINOIS GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY by Ronald E. Nelson, Editor

Ill inois, the \u27Prairie State\u27 has a rich and varied landscape, which is a product not only of the forces of nature, but also of the geographic patterns of human act ivity. The interaction of the physical environment of Illinois with the inhabitants of the state, and the resulting geographic milieu, are the subjects of this book. The book is a compilation of chapters by a series of authors who have expertise in some aspect of the geography of Illinois. The result is a detailed regional geography, ofthe classic vintage, which contains a wealth of information

Spatial Variation in Poverty Levels Within the Lower Mississippi Delta Development Region

In 1988 a Senate bill established the Lower Mississippi Delta Development Commission, whose stated purpose was to address the poverty of the region. The region identified spanned seven states and included 187 counties, and was said to share economic, social, and cultural ties. While some underlying similarities may exist in the region, the manner in which poverty manifests itself is differentiated spatially, and the region is far from homogeneous. Variations with respect to the national average in per capita income, percentage of families below the poverty level, rate of high school graduation, and unemployment rate were examined and mapped. A cluster analysis reveals the distribution of overall poverty levels. The results indicate that in both the Ozarks and counties which lie within the Mississippi River valley, income poverty is a major problem. In contrast, the portion of southern Illinois included in the Delta region is less impoverished than the region as a whole, yet does suffer from high unemployment rates. The Delta region identified by the Commission does not share a similar level of poverty, nor is the poverty experienced uniform in nature

Managing Growth in America\u27s Communities by Douglas R. Porter

Contemporary community planning and the managing of growth involves complex decisions requiring considera - tion of a host of social, economic, and environmental issues. Managing Growth in America\u27s Communities describes proven ways to manage community growth based on community experience, and presents a new community develop - ment paradigm that links the social, economic, and environmental spheres. This paradigm also seeks to draw together the divergent professional, academic, and citizen perspectives concerning commu - nity growth. The book is organized into 9 chapters, and in addition to the main text of each chapter a variety of authors provide short essays which focus on specific issues. Examples of issues which are the focus of these essays include zoning innovations, federal environmental laws, urban design, and collaborative planning. Chapter 1 provides a general introduction to community growth management in the United States. Subsequent chapters tackle growth management approaches and techniques, locational issues concerning where to grow and where not to grow, the development of infrastructure, community character and quality, economic and social goals, and regional and state growth. Chapter 9 concludes by dis - cussing both the upsides and downsides of growth management

Appalachian Kentucky: Some Comments Concerning Poverty and the Nature of the Banking Network in the Region

The Appalachian region has been a core of poverty for many decades. In this research, some changes in the extent and nature Qf poverty in the region are presented that suggest despite extensive programs designed to combat poverty, a core of intense poverty still persists. While significant improvements have been made in such areas as transportation, it seems clear that some roots of poverty in the region have not been addressed. It is argued that one neglected area involves the banking network in eastern Kentucky. This contention is supported by analyzing banking data concerning the internal banking network within the region, as well as the banks\u27 external connections

Population-Environment Dynamics. Ideas and Observations. (4th edition) by Gay lD. Ness, William D. Drake, Steven R. Brechin, Editors.

Population and the environment are intertwined in a complex web that demands the analysis of numerous theoretical and practical issues. These issues have been neglected in the past, and the topics of population and the environment artificially separated in both thought and action. This book attempts to fill these voids using an inductive and interdisciplinary approach. A series of authors contribute fifteen chapters organized into five sections. Section I explores global per - spectives relating to population and the environment, Section II analyzes the im - portance of the state as an actor, Section III focuses on population-environment dynamics in small communities, Section IV introduces a new theoretical frame - work and methodological innovation, and Section V offers a summary, conclusions, and ideas for \u27next steps\u27