Moser, J. (2016, October 25). Building Empire City: How Infrastructure Drives Growth in America’s Metropolis. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/ joelmoser/2016/10/25/building-empire-city-how-infrastructure-drives-growth-in- americas-metropolis/
In the past two decades, there has been a steady trend of people in more rural or suburban areas of the US movies into cities. This migration is fueled by good jobs and economies in cities like New York in addition to the establishment of urban parks and the revitalization of downtowns. New York City’s population has increased by 15% in about 15 years. Populations in the US are becoming more dense and compact in the 21st century. However, these highly populated cities result in environmental strains for energy and space.
As American cities continue to grow and increase in population, the demand for food and resources will grow as well. In addition, further industrialization will likely have negative effects on natural habitats and ecosystems. Practical city infrastructure must be built in conjunction with infrastructure intended to preserve natural habitats. Hopefully, resource needs can be met though urban farming and increased efficiency in the agriculture industry, and ecosystems can be preserved with parks and other infrastructure like the “ecological corridor.”
I find it interesting that in the last 20 years, the population of New York City has increased by 15 percent. Is there a way where we can support an even larger increase in people without having negative effects on our natural habitats and ecosystems?
Interesting question Julian. In my opinion, the only way to make cities less harmful is to make energy sources sustainable – wind, hydro, solar, create more efficient agricultural techniques, and establish large areas of conserved and preserved land.
Wow, this is very interesting and eye-opening. Do you think that we can ever make more rural areas more desirable to live in to help reduce population density in urban areas?
Thanks for reading. I feel that people will always migrate to cities in the modern industrial age, which is not necessarily a bad thing. We just need to find ways to accommodate such a large density.
This makes a lot of sense, and it can definitely be seen in the Bay Area as well. What do you think it will take to stop so many people from coming? Because we will run out of space eventually.
Thanks for the comment Cameron. I think the only way to slow the migration of people into cities is to reduce overall world population growth though access to education, birth control, and shifting traditions.