Spatial Dimensions of Social Mobility

Abstract

Historical urban development patterns in the UK concentrated the poor in private rented housing close to industrial areas. This housing was replaced by social rented housing, which remained behind after de-industrialisation and was later allocated by need rather than by ability to pay. Thus, worklessness and deprivation have become co-dependent. However, social mobility is also driven by economic growth, with deprived neighbourhoods in high growth cities having more mobility or ‘churn’ than those in low growth cities and regions.