Urban decay is a process by which a
city, or a part of a city, falls into a state of disrepair. It is characterized by
depopulation, property abandonment, high
unemployment, fragmented families, political
disenfranchisement,
crime, and desolate and unfriendly urban landscapes.Urban decay was associated with Western cities, especially
North America and parts of
Europe during the
1970s and
1980s. During this time period major changes in global economies,
transportation, and government policies created conditions that fostered urban decay.Although not uniquely a North American experience, the effects of urban decay run counter to the development patterns found in most cities in
Europe and the rest of the world, where
slums are usually located on the outskirts of major metropolitan areas while the
city center and
inner city retain high real estate values and a steady or increasing population. In contrast, North American cities often experience an outflux of population to city
suburbs or
exurbs, as in the case of
white flight, and can lead to phenomena such as
squatting.
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