Worcester Migration Case Study

Worcester is the second largest city in the state and is known as the heart of the commonwealth. On the contrary, however, Main south is known to be the most dangerous area of Worcester, while also being a diverse and low income neighborhood. By the 1980s, Main South was in bad shape because it was the center of crime with extensive drug activity and prostitution. Residents of the Main South were among the cities’ poorest and unemployment was widespread. 56% of residents between the ages of 18 and 24 are classified as unemployed or outside of the labor force. Due to the location of Clark University being situated in Main South and its open campus policy has positive and negative externalities. An externality is a benefit or cost that effects the well-being of a bystander in the production or consumption of a good or service. Examples of positive externalities in the Main South include the benefits received by the residents who feel safe because of the University Police and the benefits of having the
University students, staff, and faculty increases the demand side of the market, driving down vacancy rates and driving up housing prices and rents. When housing supply falls further behind housing demand, prices and rents tend to increase the fastest. This puts enormous strain on the budgets of low income families, working families and even middle income families. For this reason, Clark University, in efforts to improve Main South, developed the “University Park Partnership” which strives to improve living conditions, increase housing availability, and develop recreational centers within the neighborhood. Employment rates are still drastically lower than other Worcester communities. Approximately 78% of Main South residents are considered lower class, economically speaking, and approximately one fourth of the community lives in poverty and environmental distress to this