Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
ation is involuntary.) These are common features of American cities (Canadian and European ones,
too) inasmuch as they afford foreign immigrants opportunity to
Interact with others who literally and figuratively speak their language
Maintain contact with kinfolk
Have access to stores and eateries that specialize in familiar goods and foodstuffs
Worship in a preferred manner
The vast majority of these neighborhoods are found in high-density inner-city residential areas. That
is a reflection of the (normally) limited disposable income of immigrants, proximity to real or poten-
tial places of work, and, again, strong desire to be among people with a similar background.
Applied Geography: Lessons from Bhopal?
On December 2, 1984 an explosion at a chemical plant in Bhopal, India produced a cloud
of toxic hydrogen cyanide gas that settled over nearby residential areas. Some 5,100
people died, and many thousands more suffered permanent injures to lungs and eyes.
Subsequent investigation suggested the tragedy could have been prevented by modest
investments to improve operational safety within the plant. On the other hand, and not
to make light of those findings or of the company's culpability, some have suggested the
extent of the disaster was due to a lack of zoning.
Zoning
is the process in which urban planners (many of whom are trained in geography)
allocate particular kinds of land use to particular parts of a city. The desired purpose is
to promote smooth functioning and livability. With respect to Bhopal, why, some have
asked, was a factory of that sort and a densely populated residential area ever allowed to
exist side-by-side? An appropriate degree of geographic separation between plant and
people, consistent with rational zoning, would not have prevented the accident, but no
doubt would have resulted in far fewer casualties.
Suppose a manufacturer of toxic chemicals wanted to build a plant in the city or town
where you live. Also assume that you are the local urban planner (Congratulations!) and
that the plant's coming to town is a done deal because its economic benefits are too good
to pass up. The only remaining question is: Where should it be located? What's your
opinion? And how would you respond to critics of zoning who contend that property own-
ers should be allowed to do whatever they please with their real estate (including building
a chemical plant on it) without first securing the approval of people like you?
