In connection with the Industrial Revolution and the rapid development of cities in the USA, urban growth was particularly strong in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Besides an overall increase in the population of several million, the movement of people was maximally evident – almost half of the towns experienced a decline in population (Betsinger and DeWitte 79). This movement was justified by the creation of new jobs and more favorable living conditions in the cities. Against the background of many contradictory opinions, one can conclude that the positive effects of urban development have exceeded the negative ones at that time.
Humankind strives for progress, better technology, a more manageable life and better living conditions for itself and its loved ones. The population’s gains in the cities of the time could not be halted by excessive noise and air pollution, nor by traffic jams and the growth of slums. Every newcomer planned to change their life, earn more and ease their existence in society. This desire was facilitated by the much more spacious layout and development of New World cities compared to Europe. Rational planning, which can still be seen today, eased the strain on infrastructure and allowed the US economy and industry to grow faster at the expense of access to people.
Undoubtedly, there were a number of disadvantages, which are commonly cited as examples to this day. Some of them exist or are still echoed today, and humanity is actively developing methods to counter them. Pollution and overpopulation, being part of the same whole, according to Betsinger and DeWitte, tend to be minimized in modern countries (82). Moreover, the fight against such manifestations has been continuous and is still ongoing, intending to eradicate them completely. Living conditions have been optimized and improved continuously, in many respects long surpassing living conditions in small settlements, even compared to slums.
Among other things, one can confirm the central thesis with the idea that such migration is attractive and positive for the people themselves. A tiny percentage were disappointed and moved back to the settlements, seeing no chance for personal and financial development (Betsinger and DeWitte). Thus, the negative consequences of industrial growth, urbanization, and innovation can only be argued from the perspective of denying the universal aspiration for development, which is illogical and a dead-end way of denying progress.
Work Cited
Betsinger, Tracy K., and Sharon N. DeWitte. “Toward a Bioarchaeology of Urbanization: Demography, Health, and Behavior in Cities in the Past.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology, vol. 175 Suppl 72, no. S72, 2021, pp. 79–118, Web.