Intra-urban inequalities and planning strategies: A case study of Be'er Sheva, Israel

Intra-urban distribution of different income groups of population is arguably a function of four major determinants: (a) overall income, (b) housing expenses, (c) commuting expenses and (d) other outlays, conditionally independent of a particular location. These factors are likely to cause a patched distribution of different population groups, with predominant concentration of low-income residents in inner-city fringes, along the major transport lines. The validity of this supposition is tested using statistical data available for the city of Be'er Sheva, Israel. Hierarchical cluster analysis is used to determine the underlying patterns of intra-urban inequalities at a neighbourhood level. A number of development strategies are proposed, aimed at reducing the extent of intra-urban development disparities. These include: (i) enhancing the development of inner-city fringes as a mean of facilitating intra-urban commuting; (ii) more even distribution of public housing construction across urban areas; and (iii) establishing a system of special-purpose grants, aimed at assisting low- and medium-income residents in either renting or purchasing apartments and houses outside inner-city suburbs. It is also suggested that the distribution of property tax burden should reflect the neighbourhoods' development and welfare of residents and not be based only on physical size and structural conditions of the building, as often reflected in current practice.