Evaluating the Uneven Social and Spatial Impacts of Amazon
Three core concepts to economic geography are the friction of distance, the socially and spatially uneven nature of cost, and the central role that unequal access to power plays in economic decision-making. In this final assignment, we explore those concepts by examining arguments for and against Amazon’s growth in a place of your choosing.
Prepare a eassy that includes 5part:
1.Tell us where this place is; what is being built there; when was/is Amazon growing in this place; include a map
2.There is a summary sentence E.g., "Building a distribution center in ____ is good for Amazon because it is close to growing markets, has cheep land, and a business friendly tax policy. Then provide three answers based on the course concept and the images, explaining why Amazon should do business in this place. Each answer should be between 60 and 100 words. You must pair this answer with pictures, maps, screenshots, or charts that illustrate your argument. You must provide citations for any images, maps, screenshots, or charts included.
3.There is a summary sentence E.g., "The local government's decision to welcome Amazon could lead to [negative impact # 1] or [negative impact # 2]. To limit these impacts, our group demands that [alternative strategy]. Referencing course concepts and the image , explain why the growth of Amazon might produce spatially and socially uneven negative impacts. Each answer should be between 60-100 words. You must pair this answer with an image, map, screenshot, or chart that illustrates your argument. You must provide a citation for any image, map, screenshot, or chart that you include.
4.answers the following question: Economic geographies are produced through struggle and debate between differently positioned groups. Some groups have more power than others. How and why has that social and spatial unevenness shaped the debate over Amazon in your chosen place?This answer should be ~150-200 words and should reference the information you present earlier.
5.Citation of any written sources in addition to the images
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Evaluating the uneven social and spatial impacts of Amazon
Introduction
The potential impact of Amazon's growth in Baltimore has sparked debate about its uneven social and spatial consequences. According to Kropf (2018), Baltimore has emerged as a favoured destination for entrepreneurs due to its strategic location, affordable living, and access to talent. Amazon's choice to establish its operations in Baltimore has been influenced by its favourable business climate, including a skilled workforce and business-friendly tax policies (Nager et al., 2019). However, Caraway (2020) raises concerns about the sustainability of Amazon's innovation and its environmental impact. Strickland & Stoops (2019) also question the working conditions of Amazon's employees, given its reliance on crowdsourcing.
Furthermore, McFarlane (2020) suggests that Baltimore's public transportation decisions have led to negative economic consequences for the city's black community. These issues highlight the socially and spatially uneven effects of Amazon's growth in Baltimore. This essay will evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of Amazon's expansion in Baltimore using the core concepts of economic geography, including the friction of distance, the uneven nature of cost, and unequal access to power in economic decision-making.
Place and Amazon's Growth in Baltimore
Baltimore, situated in the northeastern region of the United States, has been a place of growth for Amazon since its first distribution centre opened in 2015 (Kropf, 2018). Amazon's growth in Baltimore has continued with the establishment of additional facilities, including a sorting centre and a delivery station (Nager et al., 2019). The proposed construction of a 3.2 million square foot fulfilment centre on the former site of General Motors in White Marsh, a suburb of Baltimore, is Amazon's most significant development in the area. The proposed facility has generated mixed reactions from the community, with some hailing the potential for job creation and economic growth, while others have voiced concerns about the environmental impact, traffic congestion, and displacement of residents (Caraway, 2020; McFarlane, 2020). Figure 1 depicts Amazon's facilities in Baltimore.
The map depicted in Figure 1 above displays the locations of Amazon's various facilities in Baltimore, Maryland. This map has been adapted from Nager et al.'s (2019) research paper. It illustrates the widespread nature of Amazon's operations in Baltimore, which have expanded significantly since the company opened its first distribution centre in 2015. The map includes the proposed site for the 3.2 million square foot fulfilment centre in White Marsh, a topic of debate among residents and community leaders. By visually representing Amazon's footprint in Baltimore, this map highlights the company's significant presence in the area and the potential impact its growth could have on the local community.
Benefits of Amazon's Growth in Baltimore
Summary sentence: Constructing a distribution centre in Baltimore is advantageous for Amazon due to its strategic position that facilitates access to the East Coast market, a qualified workforce, and incentives provided by the government.
To begin with, Amazon's decision to establish a distribution centre in Baltimore is justified by several factors. Firstly, Baltimore's location on the East Coast provides strategic advantages for the company. Approximately 40% of the U.S. population is located within a day's drive of Baltimore, making it an ideal hub for distribution and logistics. Additionally, Baltimore is home to the fifth largest port in the country, which provides easy access to international markets. Moreover, the city's location between the Northeast and Southeast regions of the U.S. means it is well-positioned to serve both growing markets (Kropf, 2018).
The figure above shows a map of Baltimore and the East Coast from Google Maps by Kropf (2018).
The second advantage of building a distribution centre in Baltimore for Amazon is the availability of a skilled workforce that aligns with their needs. Baltimore houses many prestigious universities and colleges that produce many highly educated graduates annually, thus providing Amazon with a large pool of qualified candidates. Moreover, the city's diverse population, with a high percentage of African American residents, presents an opportunity for Amazon to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce (Nager et al., 2019).
The educational attainment of Baltimore residents is presented in the chart above, sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, as cited by Nager et al. (2019).
Lastly, Baltimore has attractive government incentives that appeal to companies like Amazon. The city provides tax breaks and financial incentives to businesses that invest in its Opportunity Zones. These zones are designated areas that qualify for tax incentives to promote economic development. Moreover, Baltimore's Department of Transportation plans to upgrade and expand its transit system, which could ben...