Racial Inequality in Phoenix

As is true in many places, the Phoenix region is highly variable in terms of race (map below, white = blue, Black = green, Hispanic = red). Hispanics, African Americans, and other "minorities" are largely concentrated in the densely developed urban center, while there are higher concentrations of whites living in the lower density areas on the outskirts. The downtown and central area of Phoenix is much lower income on average than the surrounding communities, especially Scottsdale where expensive cars and upscale shops can be seen. There have been efforts to "revitalize" the downtown by increasing the density of housing, installing a light-rail system, and by nurturing the arts scene. However, whether efforts to create a new urban space in the vicinity of downtown will positively impact the current, mostly low-income Hispanic community remains to be seen. Racial inequality has deep roots in Phoenix.

By the late 19th century, Mexicans and Mexican-Americans were the largest ‘minority group’ in Phoenix , joined by smaller populations of African Americans, Chinese, and American Indians (U.S. Census of Population 1900, 1950, 2000). While all racial/ethnic minorities were the subjects of discriminatory discourses and practices, those directed at Latinos and Blacks had the most persistent effects on land use and place construction in the city. Residential segregation and unregulated land uses in minority districts began shaping social and environmental conditions in what would become South Phoenix by the 1890s, when Phoenix’s population numbered fewer than 5,000 people. Even at this early stage in the development of the city, the dividing line between Anglo Phoenix and the southern subaltern district was beginning to be established, demarcated by an east-west rail corridor first established in 1887 (Myrick 1980). This corridor soon began serving as both the physical and symbolic boundary between two developing urban worlds.
http://www.humanecologyreview.org/pastissues/her122/bolingrineskicollins.pdf