The parasite syndrome : urban and metropolitan social inequality - a global, European and Polish outlook

Abstract

In this article, the authors analyse selected outlooks of social inequality as it can be observed in cities and metropolises. Attention is paid to three aspects of the question: income inequality, housing inequality and the risk of poverty. The text points out the spatial dimension of urban and metropolitan inequality and also differences in levels of inequality on the global, European and local scales. The analysis of available data shows that inequality most seriously affects cities located in the developing world (mainly in Africa), but it appears to a similar extent in the US cities. The situation of European cities regarding inequality looks much better. This does not mean, however, that European cities have avoided inequality and its negative results. In Europe, the “urban paradox” can be observed as the cities accumulate wealth and growth multipliers and concentrate social inequality. Although the cities of Central and Eastern Europe appear to be in a better position, their situation must be seen in the context of their more difficult demographic situation. The most significant inequalities in Poland, as in other European countries, can be observed in metropolitan cities. The increasing income differential may be considered the basis of the distinction between the well-qualified workers of specialised metropolitan services and the workers in traditional occupations; this confirms a division in the metropolitan class, as well as urban middle and lower classes. The revealed factors lead to two principal conclusions. The first one highlights the multidimensionality of urban and metropolitan inequality, resulting in a dual city. The second factor concerns the potential social conflicts, known as the parasite syndrome. The two are connected with a rise in the level of intra-metropolitan inequality.