Everyone wants to be where the action is. And where’s the action? In cities, of course. City centres are usually the most active part of any region. It is the most representative of the city’s strengths and concerns. That’s why the development of the inner city can have many implications for society at large. But inner city development (ICD) is not only building better infrastructure; it goes much deeper. So how far does it go?
Social Programmes That Target Crucial Issues
This programme includes integrating social programmes for the community. In every community, there are different problems. And an important part of improving the standard of living in the city centre is to put in place programmes and initiatives that target social concerns.
Let’s consider an example. Say there’s a city with very high juvenile crime rates. Could this be because parents work till late hours, and teenagers are left unsupervised during crucial hours of the day? There could be social initiatives that engage children post-school hours. There could be classes like calligraphy, horse riding, or football. Schools might also consider changing school hours so that children start their day late and get less unsupervised time during the evenings. This also takes into account teenagers’ changed circadian rhythm and optimises their energy levels.
ICD borrows knowledge from science and social science to create a society with effective ways of living.
The Private Businesses Model
Having said that, don’t be fooled. Inner city development does not require the state to provide services free of cost; it’s quite the opposite. Most experts agree that countries in good financial positions often use the private business model to run their services. This means the main goal is profit. And why shouldn’t it be? The after-school classes could be run by unemployed people, giving them an income, putting them to work, and improving the country’s statistics. Encouraging them to do a profitable business out of it will mean that they offer quality services and do their best to gain as big an audience as possible.
Market Demand
These initiatives capitalise on increased market demand in the inner cities. Since these regions have high commercial value, they usually experience a high inflow of people from other regions that want to set up their life there. And with a varied population (and a large one at that), social programmes affect many people at once; initiating change here is thus most fruitful.
Strategic Location
Given that many other businesses are also operating in the same region, social programmes can borrow expertise, materials, and resources from other organisations in the area. The location is perfect for starting collaborative projects that aid the community. It also catalyses the coming together of people from different walks of life and increases community engagement, a spirit often lacking in big busy cities. This problem is also resolved by creative real estate properties that are luxurious enough that people want to move in.
Lifestyle
People move out of smaller towns in search of something bigger. What they’re looking for is a better lifestyle for themselves and the generations to come. While some enjoy the hustle and bustle of big cities and feel like they’ve finally found their place, many people grow averse to city centres. That could be because, despite being the hub of activity, inner cities are often riddled with crime and loneliness. And the development programs implemented in inner city areas by promoting these social causes can greatly impact how non-local residents perceive the city.
