The Urban Century

For the first time in history, a century has begun where more than 50% of the world's population (6.3-6.4 billion people) are living in metropolitan centers.  Because of this, the 21st century is becoming known as the Urban Century.  There are many questions that arise from such a shift in social idea and activity.  How do the cities deal with the drastic increase of population?  Is it possible to develop these growing urban centers in a sustainable way so that they do not become increasingly dangerous and unhealthy?  Will this have a negative effect on rural areas or will it enable them to maintain their natural environment?  And finally, what is it that is causing this shift in popular opinion?

Many schools of Architecture at Universities around the world have created a "Department of Sustainability," teaching its students to plan urban communities in an eco-friendly and non-intrusive way, at least as much as is possible. The skill of developing an inner-city community, while keeping in mind the environment is an extremely difficult task, and leaves many to wonder if it can be done.  Cities are nothing if not cement and steel, built on top of the natural environment.  Is there a way to create expanding cities without completely destroying the nature that surrounds them, or even making them completely self-sustainable? This is every architect's struggle. Especially in the "green" crazy world that we live in.

The greatest fear of those who live in the city, or who are planning on moving there, is the threat of crime and disease.  The common belief that living in the city brings along ill-hygiene and constant threat of illness is one that has been thriving since the first city.  And with good reason.  It is true that the high poverty level in inner-city projects simply furthers the threat of illness and disease.  The same is true with crime.  The higher the poverty level, the more crowded the conditions, and the higher threat of misfortune befalling brings along a high crime rate due to those who have fallen victim to their circumstances, as well as those who simply take advantage of the opportunity to prey on those who are struggling.  Yet, even with these valid fears, cities continued to grow throughout history, bringing more and more people in simply because the pros far outweighed the cons.  The close proximity to numerous business opportunities, the social aspect, and the potential to raise oneself from the bottom of the pile to the top of the heap are all reasons that people long to be in the city.  As in any great adventure, experience worth living for, or business venture, there will always be risk, but it seems as though people have found these risks to be miniscule compared to the unending possibilities and excitement of urban life.

Although most cities tend to grow upward or downward (skyscrapers reaching into the sky and shopping malls and subways submerged under the earth), growing outward has become more and more popular as the inner city is left behind due to its deteriorating living conditions and "old-school" feel.  The suburbs have become the picture of American living, close enough to the city to enjoy its benefits but far enough away to experience your natural environment, at least to some extent.  This "urban-sprawl" taking over previously undeveloped land is what has many of those who still chose to live in rural areas worrying about their loss of land.  The good news is that those who are truly against urban centers tend to live far enough away from them that they will be unaffected by the demographic shift that is occurring, except for being able to enjoy the growing isolation they will experience due to everyone moving to the city.  Those who like their nature but still lived close enough to metropolitan centers that they will feel the expansion will soon find that they may actually benefit from the growing population, which equals more business opportunities, a much broader market.

I am one who adheres to the suburban lifestyle, for I enjoy both the hussle and bussle of the city, as well as the outdoor activities that the natural environment provides.  I see no problem with those who are drawn to the city, and vice versa.  I do believe it is important to have both kinds of people, or else there would be no balance in this world.  We need people in both types of centers, rural and urban.  Therefore, the best we can do is enable those who are living in the city to strive for a more self-sustaining lifestyle, and work in developing such communities as the cities grow, which they undoubtedly will.  Although, hopefully not to the point where we have created our own Coruscant. I believe at that point we would have something to talk about...