Melanie Jones E5692114

Drawing on what you have learnt from the DD102 module materials and your work on TMA 01, outline some examples of inequality on City Road, Cardiff.

In this essay I intend to expand further on my initial observations noted in TMA01, surrounding the concept of inequality and how it manifests on City Road in a manner of ways. TMA01 establishes inequality as “the unequal distribution of valued resources” (Blakeley and Staples 2014, p13). Examples of inequalities arise through wealth,age,class,disability and race. Through my comprehension and observations drawn from the module material I will highlight further examples of inequalities experienced amongst the people living on and utilising City Road. Good start, though I would ask you to avoid using the first person (‘I’). Instead you could say ‘This essay will….’ etc

City Road is a vibrant street in Cardiff, housing a variety of businesses and residents, a very diverse population encompassing many international cultures, however this abundance of choice in itself can allow for certain inequalities to form.

‘Making lives on the street’(The Open University, 2016) highlights the restrictions and constraints suffered due to economic inequality, or the simple divide between rich and poor.Traditionally City Road was home to many small thriving businesses, however larger chains like Tesco have moved into the area, threatening trade of the smaller outlets and whilst providing more choice also limiting choice aswell.Recession has limited the choices to consumers, not everyone can afford to buy what they want or indeed need. The existence of the food bank is a strong example of economic inequality where people are without choice regarding food and use the service out of necessity.Other groups are also limited in their choices as consumers and forced by their socio-economic plight to resort to services such as Malcom Tabbeners ‘buy back’ scheme he offers at Deals Wales. Consumers are facing less choice and access to traditional lending services due to their fall in income, some resorting to selling their possessions just to get by. I feel there is a bit to finish off here. The way in which City Road has developed here suggests austerity economics. Perhaps here you could stress the issue around how certain groups are being excluded from participation in certain economic ways because of growing inequality on a more country wide scale? It is nevertheless a well written paragraph

‘Connecting live on the street’(Open University, 2016) illustrates how the material make up and space of City Road tends to favour certain types of users.
The street is a very busy area with high volumes of traffic, cars and buses, pedestrians, commuting to work,delivery vans to local businesses and limited parking spaces, favouring groups who can fully utilise public transport. Crossing is also a challenge, although there are designated crossing points these are spread along the street and may not always be the most convenient place to cross for those who are older, less mobile and disabled. Steve Sweetman explains his feelings of isolation and disconnection with the street when he was forced to use a wheelchair after an accident. The street is laiden with barriers to Steve’s mobility, he talks of raised curbs, sloping pavements, lack of safe crossing opportunity and hazards due to limited perspective from his wheelchair. Steve is at a disadvantage in his access to the street and this disconnection with his surroundings turns into a social inequality. Good – this is inequality due to disability. There is a form of social exclusion going on here rather than economic inequality. Perhaps you could have drawn this distinction out a little more clearly?

My final example will focus on social order and how it is made and remade on city road by the behaviours of its users. Socialisation is largely taken for granted in day to day living as people go about their business, paying little attention to details such as street lighting,refuse removal, the use of cctv to monitor activity in the area to highlight any issues to the relevant authorities, also giving piece of mind to people in the area on safety. A great deal goes on behind the scenes to allow us to live day to day.
‘Ordering lives on the street’ (Open University 2016) reinforces the importance of the social order that exists, however we learn of a challenge to this in the form of the anarchist squatters known as The Gremlins who have taken up illegal residence in a derelict cinema empty for the past decade. Unhappy with the economic climate and the impact on society especially in terms of poverty, the social inequality felt by The Gremlins and their lack of affordability of a home had led to a challenge to the existing social order and instead they do not view themselves as causing disruption but offer an alternative vision to solve the homelessness they face due to social inequality. Good. The group do challenge the established social order and economic system. But do you think that this could be choice as much as exclusion? Is this more an acceptance of inequality turned into challenge to the system? I will give you credit for using this example though as none of your peers did so!

To summarise, City Road has been an excellent starting point to examine everyday life in society. Despite the diversity of the area, many sources of inequality are evident. Economic inequality is experienced by many different groups, but also the re-making of society can sometimes cause hardship and produce disadvantages. Even the accepted social order which the majority favours can be a source of disconnection leading to further instances of inequality. It is clear that even small changes can lead to inequality and thus affect the experiences of users. Good

Word count 756

References

Blakeley, G and Staples, M(2014) ‘The life and Times of the street’ in Allen, J. And Blakeley,G.(ends) Understanding social lives, Part 1, Milton Keynes, The Open University.

The Open university (2016) ‘Making lives on the street’ video DD102 Introducing the social sciences

The Open university (2016) ‘Connecting lives on the street’ video DD102 Introducing the social sciences

The Open university (2016) ‘Ordering lives on the street’ video DD102 Introducing the social sciences

I would welcome feedback on referencing, I didn't attempt in tma01 and despite the module activities I am not confident in correct use and how to list at end of work. Also my essay structure I found the introduction and bringing together all the points hard and sometimes disjointed. The structure this time was better than last time, and the whole piece is very coherent in form so good there. I can see that you have made an attempt to reference in places so that’s good too. Nothing wrong with the way you did it, I would do it:
Blakely & Staples (2014:13)