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This chapter examines the influence of the spatial concentration of disadvantage on social exclusion in cities in Great Britain. It attempts to answer the question of whether it is possible to identify the negative effects of living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods on individual life chances. The chapter suggests that in developing future urban policy, it is important to move away from simple assumptions about neighbourhood effects, and to consider more specifically what relevant processes may be generating these effects and how policy might modify them.

This chapter turns to the response of the criminal justice system to neighborhood violence, in particular examining to what extent persistently high levels of incarceration can depress economic well-being and human capital in disadvantaged and racially segregated communities. A panel analysis of New York City neighborhoods between 1985 and 1996, a period in which the city's violent-crime rates both rose and fell sharply, provides evidence that high incarceration rates reduce income growth, educational attainment, and work experience in disadvantaged and racially segregated neighborhoods. To rectify this, targeted micro investment and housing development in such areas can break the connection between incarceration and economic and educational disadvantage.

This chapter draws together evidence from the families in the study that: a) disadvantaged neighbourhoods make family life difficult; b) in order to survive families build local community links; c) that families make cities more humane; and d) cities work better when they support family life. It notes that families generate much of the social capital on which society as a whole flourishes. It also explores the dynamics of urban neighbourhoods from the perspective of parents and poses questions concerning the impact of neighbourhood conditions on family life, the issue of unpopular areas to work for families with children, strengthening community ties, and forms of interventions to counter the uncontrollable pressure on families of extremely rapid change.

Chapter 6 addresses the question of how an age-friendly urban environment can support frail older people to ‘age in place’. To address this issue, the chapter presents findings from a study which assessed the value of an ‘Active Caring Community’ project in supporting frail older adults living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Brussels, Belgium. The project was aimed at creating a community which supports the process of ageing in place; where residents of the community know and help each other; where meeting opportunities are developed; and where individuals and their informal caregivers receive care and support from motivated professionals. The authors highlight the importance of the social dimension of the environment, and discuss a range of related opportunities and constraints which may affect older people’s frailty.

Chapter 5 examines the impact of gentrification processes in Berlin, Germany, on the distribution of older people across the city as well as the everyday experiences of ageing in socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The chapter concludes with an overview of developments in the context of political processes, where urban transformation driven by economic interests generates growing conflict and contradiction with the needs of an ageing and increasingly less affluent population.

This chapter considers the role of participation in community arts as a means of promoting greater social engagement by older people. It considers the contribution of community-based activities in general and emphasises that they should be considered part of a broader programme to enhance the quality of lives of residents of disadvantaged neighbourhoods. It then considers in detail the impact of one specific community arts project, detailing the enthusiastic reaction of the participants but also highlighting the need to ensure ongoing support and the need to recognise the central role of the facilitator. It concludes by re-emphasising the importance of promoting control of such community initiatives by the local residents.

Racial disparities in major chronic illnesses are documented in this chapter, along with an exploration of the health behaviors of black people. Focusing on individual responsibility for maintaining health resonates with the neoliberal agenda for curtailing social spending, but often overlooks how structural barriers and inequalities shape health behaviors and outcomes. This chapter looks at the health belief model and the theory of health behaviors to examine factors that facilitate (e.g., religion) or impede (e.g., neighbourhood disadvantage) healthy behaviors among African Americans.

This chapter presents a case study of economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Liverpool and examines the support networks that are mobilised in these areas. It discusses the people's perceptions and concerns about their neighbourhoods and what they wanted in order to improve their neighbourhoods and to inform regeneration initiatives.