Why Geography Matters: How geography and path dependency have aided in the black and white divide in Kansas City, MO

Abstract

Questions of space were very important in shaping Kansas City. Over time, space has aided in the geographic and hence social isolation of many people. This paper will look at the causes of segregation in the US and Kansas City, and subsequently how geography has helped segregation become the norm in many cities, including Kansas City, concluding with a look at path dependent processes in a modern day framework and what policies should be enacted to move forward.