2. A Journey through the Urban Evolution

As the human civilization modernized, there has been a trend in the evolution of cities in the Global North. This post will be taking you through this journey over the annals of history, exploring the birth of the present-day metropolitan and the undeniable connection it has to the popular transportation modes of recent history. With a nod to Muller's (2004) insightful work on the subject we will uncover how the evolution of urban centers, propelled by transportation innovations, has given rise to both the marvel of sprawling metropolises and the contentious phenomenon of gentrification.

The Era of Constrained Urban Centers

Figure 1: Paul Seibert's award winning Aerial photograph of New York City.

(retrieved from: https://tinyurl.com/bdfy3rak)

In the early chapters of urban history, cities in the Global North were constrained by the limits of human mobility. People could only reside as far from the city center as it allowed them to return within a reasonable timeframe. Before the advent of recreational automobiles and the subsequent proliferation of freeways, economic activity predominantly thrived in the city center. Why? Because, quite simply, people lacked personal transportation options, forcing them to adapt their lives around the available public transport of the time.

Early public transportation, including horsecars, electric streetcars, and trams, adhered to fixed routes that only shuttled people in and out of city centers. This fixed transit typology effectively discouraged the emergence of Edge Cities and other forms of concentrated economic activity away from the city center. As Muller (2004) aptly notes, these early transport systems sustained the relevance of urban centers through the ages.

in "Gentrification of the City" Neil Smith's exploration of the restructuring of urban space is particularly relevant here. The fixed routes of early public transportation systems played a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of urban space, influencing the concentration of economic activity within city centers. Smith's insights into the direction and limits of urban restructuring shed light on the historical constraints that set the stage for later developments in urban planning.

The Dawn of the Modern Metropolitan

Figure 2: Mapped representation of the developmental area citizens could develop homes in due to the transportation mode available at the time.

(retrieved from: https://youtu.be/HO0BZqQ42Ic)

However, the arrival of affordable recreational automobiles in the 1920s and the extensive freeway networks of the 1940s changed the urban landscape forever. Suddenly, economic activity was no longer confined to city centers, giving birth to the metropolitan cities. This also coincided with the emergence of a new phenomenon, one we still grapple with today, namely Urban Sprawl. As individuals sought the picturesque "single-family home with a large front lawn" lifestyle, inner cities experienced a significant decline in economic activity and land value. Businesses, both large and small, followed the economic current, relocating to areas where opportunities shone brighter.

The birth of Urban Sprawl marked the inception of inner-city gentrification. The once-vibrant inner city saw a dramatic drop in land value as economic activity shifted outward. Businesses sought greener pastures where industry success was collectively more promising.

Back to the Future

And there you have it, the story behind the metropolitan near you, how it came to be and its driving factors (pun-intended). The consequences of this transformation are what brings us back to the topic of gentrification but let us end off with an open mind – What do you believe may be the next mode of transport to open up the limits of urban development?

With the advancements in artificial intelligence over the past 10 years, I cannot imagine automated vehicles are far off from their introduction to the global market. With automation, there is the possibility of seamless commutes through larger cities, alleviating the many physical strains of travel and even unlocking precious time for productive activities that would otherwise be impossible while traveling through traffic.

As an urban planner however, I do fear that this very progress could further fuel urban sprawl. Pushing the boundaries of our cities further may do nothing but exacerbate the challenges of gentrification, maybe even giving birth to a manifestation of the current version.

Reference List:

Muller, P. O., 2004. Transportation and Urban Form: Stages in the Spatial Evolution of the American Metropolis. In: S. Hanson & G. Giuliano, eds. The Geography of Urban Transportation. New York: Guilford Press, pp. 59-84. Smith, N. and Williams, P. eds., 2013. Gentrification of the City. Routledge.