Why do cities exist ?

[Massimo2002]

And are they a good or bad thing for humanity ? I personally think that cities have brought some food things into this world but generally cities are breeding grounds for human evil. Because of the dehumanizing industrial elements and to many people in one place.

 

[ChristineM]

And are they a good or bad thing for humanity ? I personally think that cities have brought some food things into this world but generally cities are breeding grounds for human evil. Because of the dehumanizing industrial elements and to many people in one place.

Some cities developed during the neolithic period when agriculture ensured enough crops to sustain a city.

The next big wave was during the industrial revolution when agricultural workers migrated to towns (which grew into cities) for a better wage and more consistent work.

 

[Eddi]

I prefer small towns to big cities

But cities are a big part of modernity

I think the modern mindset is an urban mindset

 

[Massimo2002]

I prefer small towns to big cities

But cities are a big part of modernity

I think the modern mindset is an urban mindset

Exactly to live in the 21st century is to live in a city or so it seems.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Cities exist, in my opinion, primarily out of convenience. Water and waste systems are more accessible, as are utilities such as telephone, gas, and electric. Shopping is much closer and more convenient. Community gatherings require less travel.

 

[Audie]

And are they a good or bad thing for humanity ? I personally think that cities have brought some food things into this world but generally cities are breeding grounds for human evil. Because of the dehumanizing industrial elements and to many people in one place.

Sooo...you will have everyome
be peasant farmers or hunter /
gatherers?

 

[SalixIncendium]

Sooo...you will have everyome
be peasant farmers or hunter /
gatherers?

Interesting perspective.

I don't live in a city. I'm neither a hunter/gatherer nor a peasant farmer.

 

[Eddi]

Exactly to live in the 21st century is to live in a city or so it seems.

Capitalism is a thing that happens in cities

 

[ChristineM]

Exactly to live in the 21st century is to live in a city or so it seems.

I live in a village of population 560 persons, 80km from the nearest city. When we moved here the population was around 510. It seems village life is making a comeback;-)

Though have lived in cities in the past

 

[Valjean]

Capitalism is a thing that happens in cities

So is tolerance of diversity and cultural differences.

 

[Quintessence]

Many universities offer courses on the history of the city. A few community colleges might also have these courses. Take one. Next best thing will be going on down to your local public library to check out a stack of books on the topic. I don't have any recommendations as I have not done much academic study of urban planning or the history of the city. At least some of these works will get into the moralizing questions as well as urban design and social justice issues very much go hand in hand.

 

[Eddi]

Many universities offer courses on the history of the city. A few community colleges might also have these courses. Take one. Next best thing will be going on down to your local public library to check out a stack of books on the topic. I don't have any recommendations as I have not done much academic study of urban planning or the history of the city. At least some of these works will get into the moralizing questions as well as urban design and social justice issues very much go hand in hand.

Playing any Sim City game is also good if you are interested in cities

 

[Bthoth]

And are they a good or bad thing for humanity ? I personally think that cities have brought some food things into this world but generally cities are breeding grounds for human evil. Because of the dehumanizing industrial elements and to many people in one place.

Good yes on many levels. Bad on many other.

Business has merit to trade but 'invisible hand' has taken hold to cause far more damage than just war.

 

[Quintessence]

Playing any Sim City game is also good if you are interested in cities

That's true - I dunno about the newer versions but the earlier versions of it were mindful about correctly simulating urban planning. It's been used by educators to teach about urban planning and urban design. My knowledge about urban planning comes partly from this and also from a course I happened to take at university about the city. I hadn't really given it much mind until then, which was a travesty when one thinks about it. Municipal services and urban design are something that impacts virtually all of us but we are not taught anything about it in public education (or at least I wasn't, outside of AP classes).

 

[Eddi]

That's true - I dunno about the newer versions but the earlier versions of it were mindful about correctly simulating urban planning. It's been used by educators to teach about urban planning and urban design. My knowledge about urban planning comes partly from this and also from a course I happened to take at university about the city. I hadn't really given it much mind until then, which was a travesty when one thinks about it. Municipal services and urban design are something that impacts virtually all of us but we are not taught anything about it in public education (or at least I wasn't, outside of AP classes).

I've studied the sociology of urbanisation, it's an interesting thing

I remember the Chicago school and the "zone of transition" and a book whose name I have forgotten about the different zones of a city based on Los Angeles, was about 20 years ago

I have fond memories of playing Sim City 2000 in the 1990s

 

[PureX]

Humans are a collective, cooperative species. As we have always been. We need each other's help to survive. Yet we are also predatory, and we will prey on each other if we become too densely packed together for the available resources. It's a basic dilemma that we have still not managed to resolve.

 

[metis]

Cities have their pros and cons, and I have lived in them [Detroit area & Kalamazoo] and then not in them [the U.P.].

 

[Quagmire]

Interesting perspective.

I don't live in a city. I'm neither a hunger/gatherer nor a peasant farmer.

Me neither. Farming peasants is hard work.

 

[Wu Wei]

Interesting perspective.

I don't live in a city. I'm neither a hunter/gatherer nor a peasant farmer.

me either...I'm an IT professional...not a fan of cites either.....but I'll tell you...I have known some farmers.... and I would not label any of them "peasant"

 

[Audie]

I live in a village of population 560 persons, 80km from the nearest city. When we moved here the population was around 510. It seems village life is making a comeback;-)

Though have lived in cities in the past

You brought your money with you.

Do you see a possibility for everyone to live
in such small towns?