Urban Poverty and the City


For the first time in human history, more people today live in cities than in rural areas. In a generation, over 70% of the world is expected to be urbanized. Urban sociology, then, is more important now than ever before.  Focusing on topics such as urban poverty and slums, wealth and gated communities, neighborhood change and neighborhood effects, housing and residential mobility, and community life and city politics, this research cluster focuses on the inner-workings of cities and urban life.

The department sponsors the Urban Theory and Data Lab.

Affiliated Graduate Students

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Making Sense of a Perplexing Country and an unwieldy Subject: Studies in the sociology of development and of modern-day trafficking and slavery

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The Confounding Island: Institutions, Culture and Mis-Development in Post-Colonial Jamaica was just delivered to the press by Professor Orlando Patterson. This book examines one of the world’s most perplexing societies. Famous for the spectacular successes of its athletes and musicians, its vibrant democracy, and its religiosity, Jamaica is equally infamous for being among the world’s most violent places.... Read more about Making Sense of a Perplexing Country and an unwieldy Subject: Studies in the sociology of development and of modern-day trafficking and slavery

In foreground, a sign posted on a lawn reads "Do not play in the dirt or around the mulch - EPA." In background is a child's pink three-wheeled riding toy.

Truly Toxic

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Environmental regulation is undergoing radical changes, posing a direct threat to America’s health and potentially deepening inequality.  Since the spring of 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed sharp cuts in the testing of children for lead exposure, and the Interior Department directed the National Academy of Sciences to cease studying the health effects of a common mining technique that deposits toxic minerals in ground waters.  Meanwhile, recent investigative reports have documented that the appointment of top regulators with conflicting business interests at the EPA continues apace. ... Read more about Truly Toxic