The urban labour market

David Gilbert, Humphrey Southall

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Towns are often presented as market centres, but mainly as places for the buying and selling of goods, or for financial transactions. This chapter examines several of the most important sectors of the labour market, following the paths taken by individuals over their lives. It then explores the development of each of these sectors, developing an account of the changing nature of life-paths and career structures, and their implications for the developing urban system. The chapter discusses casual trades, skilled artisans, factory workers, miners, domestic service and white-collar work. Finally, it scrutinizes the interactions between the labour market processes and the form of the urban system, concentrating on spatial divisions of labour and the ways in which economic fluctuations altered the relationships between different sectors of the labour market and transformed the geography of towns and cities.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Cambridge Urban History of Britain
EditorsMartin Daunton
PublisherCambridge University Press
Chapter19
Pages593-628
Number of pages36
Volume3
ISBN (Electronic)9781139053839
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Publication series

NameThe Cambridge Urban History of Britain
PublisherCambridge University Press

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