What are some of the challenges to social order in urban areas?
Most of the important issues and problems of social order in towns and cities are related to the question of space. High population density places a great premium on space and creates very complex problems of logistics. It is the primary task of the urban social order to ensure the spatial viability of the city.
The question of urban housing brings with it a whole host of problems. Shortage of housing for the poor leads to homelessness, and the phenomenon of 'street people' — those who live and survive on the streets and footpaths, under bridges and flyovers, abandoned buildings and other empty spaces.
Housing shortage is also the leading cause for the emergence of slums. A slum is a congested, overcrowded neighbourhood with no proper civic facilities like sanitation, water supply, and electricity. Because of the absence of 'settled' property rights, slums become the natural breeding ground for 'dadas' and strongmen who impose their authority on the people who live there.
The urban social order also faces challenges in organising and managing mass transit systems for transporting workers, arranging for the coexistence of residential, public and industrial land-use zones, and addressing all public health, sanitation, policing, public safety and monitoring needs of urban governance.
Explanation
The answer draws directly from the textbook discussion on urban social order challenges. The key challenges identified are: (1) Space-related issues due to high population density, (2) Housing problems leading to homelessness and street people, (3) Emergence of slums with poor civic facilities, (4) Absence of settled property rights leading to domination by 'dadas' and strongmen, and (5) Complex logistics of managing transit systems, land-use zones, and public services. The answer strictly follows the context provided without adding external information.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the primary challenge - space-related issues due to high population density
Step 2: Explain housing problems and their consequences - homelessness and street people
Step 3: Describe slums as a major urban challenge with lack of civic facilities
Step 4: Explain the governance vacuum in slums leading to 'dadas' and strongmen
Step 5: List the organisational challenges - transit, land-use zones, public services