Urbanism and urbanisation
In Aristotle’s view, a large city should not be mistaken for a densely populated one. He emphasized in The Politics that a city, akin to an individual, has a specific purpose, and the city excelling at fulfilling its purpose should be considered the greatest. This idea of greatness should be understood in a comparative sense, much like considering Hippocrates greater not as a man, but as a physician, than someone taller. Even when considering size, not everyone should be included in determining a city’s greatness. Cities naturally have a mix of inhabitants like slaves, visitors, and foreigners, but true greatness lies in those who are integral members of the state. The number of these citizens serves as evidence of a city’s greatness. However, a city with a surplus of artisans and a scarcity of soldiers cannot be deemed great, reiterating that a great city is distinct from a populous one. Notably, historical evidence suggests that excessively populated cities often struggle with effective governance. Cities known for good governance tend to have a defined population limit. Urbanism is a lifestyle characterized by high population density, diversity, and intricate social structures, primarily associated with city life in contemporary understanding. It’s important to note that urbanism is distinct from suburban culture, which is often misinterpreted or stereotyped by analysts.
Urbanism has traditionally been linked to a more refined appreciation and consumption of the arts, upscale dining, sophisticated entertainment, and fashion. On the other hand, suburbia is often characterized as family-oriented and centered around private homes, heavily reliant on cars for transportation, and emphasizing the value of privacy. While the clear-cut distinctions between these two lifestyles may not be as evident today, the differences still stem from distinct housing and transportation patterns: urban areas typically feature high-rises and public transit, while suburbs are characterized by single-family homes and personal vehicles.
Discussions surrounding urbanism often emphasize that city life tends to be more inclusive and accepting of strangers and individuals considered “deviant” by societal standards compared to suburban life. Cities are recognized for their greater ethnic, racial, and class diversity in contrast to the relatively homogenous suburbs. However, it’s becoming less clear if such sharp social distinctions can be firmly drawn between urban and suburban lifestyles in modern times. The entire metropolitan region, including its various centers, has witnessed a significant increase in diversity in recent years. Immigrants no longer exclusively settle in inner cities, and subcultures flourish throughout the entire region. The inclination towards a high-consumption lifestyle is apparent across all areas.
Historically, there was a theory, notably from the 1930s Chicago School articulated by Lewis Wirth, that portrayed life in the big city as distinct. Additionally, recent evidence suggests that inner cities host vibrant entertainment districts on a scale not commonly seen in the suburbs, particularly evident in the lively street life observed at night, a characteristic more emblematic of city life. Lastly, when considering truly global cities in developed countries, their collections of art, music, dance, fashion, design, and architecture, representing what was once labeled as “high culture,” are unparalleled in terms of quality, quantity, and accessibility, offering an experience unmatched by other spatial arrangements.
Urban economics delves into the fascinating world of cities, employing economic tools to dissect urban challenges like crime, education, public transportation, housing, and local government finances. More than just a branch of microeconomics, it scrutinizes the spatial layout of cities and the positioning of homes and businesses. Across the globe, cities and towns are undergoing a metamorphosis fueled by both population growth and migration. Urbanization, a term that implies the shift from rural to urban living, is an ever-changing, dynamic process, altering the very essence of districts. In today’s fast-paced world, this shift is happening at an accelerated pace, drawing people from the countryside into the buzzing heart of urban life.
But the growth of cities isn’t solely due to urbanization; it’s also propelled by the dispersion of people, moving away from bustling urban centers to smaller, less crowded pockets within the broader city region. Both urbanization and this population dispersal contribute to the continuous expansion of built-up areas, encompassing villages, towns, and cities. As these areas grow, the demand for family homes with spacious gardens rises, resulting in new developments characterized by lower overall density. And this growth often happens at the edges of cities, encroaching on green spaces and causing a decrease in open land both within and outside urban conglomerations.
Urbanization is a complex interplay of societal activities and processes, intricately linked to how societies evolve and adapt. Its study isn’t confined to the present; it’s a journey through history, analyzing the rise and fall of magnificent cities. Delving into historical accounts, we ponder over the origins of cities, their early characteristics, and the fundamental societal structures necessary for urbanization to take root.
In today’s world, urbanization studies vary in focus — some examining the developed nations, particularly in the Western world, diving into the effects of industrialization and the shifts in labor forces brought about by the rise of IT and financial services. Meanwhile, in less developed regions, the lens is on the explosive growth of massive cities and the migration that transforms both urban landscapes and the countryside. These studies are deeply entrenched in the historical context, often reflecting on the urban revolution theory proposed by historian Gordon Childe in the 1940s, which remains relevant as we study urbanization in the third world. The dynamics of urban economics and urbanization constantly evolve, shaping the cities of tomorrow in unexpected and exciting ways.
Sometimes policymakers can argue that urbanisation is a development or growth, however, growth of the city population not made grate city.
