When we hear about cities, what do we think of? In some cases, a specific place like New York City or Los Angeles may come to mind. Perhaps one would contemplate the idea of a city; the enticingly vast development of an area and the big events that take place within. Humans hold a distinct curiosity for metropolitan places. There just seems to be something magical about thousands, and even millions of unique people coming together to share a community.
Things happen in cities. Everything from work with the global economy, to political decision-making, to the molding of culture takes place here. Sacramento—a town with just under one-half million residents within the city limits, and almost one million more than that in the county—has active fiscal relations with Korea, France, Russia, China, and The Netherlands (City of Sacramento 2013). The aforementioned human attraction to cities has been exemplified in recently increased urbanization across the nation, and could be explained as the result of these virtually endless possibilities within the metropolitan scene.
There has been an estimated 12.1 percent jump in urban populations from the year 2000 to 2010. Over 80 percent of the United States’ population is found in urban areas, and seven of the ten most densely populated spots in America are found in the state of California alone. Furthermore, California is the most urban of all 50 states, with 95 percent of the population residing in cities (US Census 2013). What does this mean? It means that our society is centered around urban places, our very own state specifically. Cities are everywhere. They are where the world-changers are, where the movers and shakers get things done. A paradox comes into existence, however, alongside the existence of the city and the people within it.
Our culture has long recognized the large gap between a “city gal” and a “country boy.” Some people are simply made to grow in populous places, whereas others thrive rurally. One could wager a claim, however, that this contrast is lessening in the event of our society’s continuous trend of urbanization. Thus, the paradox blooms. When placed in a large urban situation with endless potential—good or bad—one could say, “Wow. This place is huge, and so many things happen here. I’m so small in comparison.” On the other hand, a confident individual might proclaim, “Wow! This place is enormous, and so many fantastic people are all around me. What a great place to get involved.”
It’s all about perspective. We mustn’t be frightened by extensive populations or intense diversity. Either way, urbanization is a real trend that citizens worldwide will most likely experience. The choice you can make is between either using our city as a crutch of intimidation, or an element for empowerment. Neither Sacramento nor any other city is an exclusive culture. It’s a melting pot of opportunity!
Things happen in cities. Everything from work with the global economy, to political decision-making, to the molding of culture takes place here. Sacramento—a town with just under one-half million residents within the city limits, and almost one million more than that in the county—has active fiscal relations with Korea, France, Russia, China, and The Netherlands (City of Sacramento 2013). The aforementioned human attraction to cities has been exemplified in recently increased urbanization across the nation, and could be explained as the result of these virtually endless possibilities within the metropolitan scene.
There has been an estimated 12.1 percent jump in urban populations from the year 2000 to 2010. Over 80 percent of the United States’ population is found in urban areas, and seven of the ten most densely populated spots in America are found in the state of California alone. Furthermore, California is the most urban of all 50 states, with 95 percent of the population residing in cities (US Census 2013). What does this mean? It means that our society is centered around urban places, our very own state specifically. Cities are everywhere. They are where the world-changers are, where the movers and shakers get things done. A paradox comes into existence, however, alongside the existence of the city and the people within it.
Our culture has long recognized the large gap between a “city gal” and a “country boy.” Some people are simply made to grow in populous places, whereas others thrive rurally. One could wager a claim, however, that this contrast is lessening in the event of our society’s continuous trend of urbanization. Thus, the paradox blooms. When placed in a large urban situation with endless potential—good or bad—one could say, “Wow. This place is huge, and so many things happen here. I’m so small in comparison.” On the other hand, a confident individual might proclaim, “Wow! This place is enormous, and so many fantastic people are all around me. What a great place to get involved.”
It’s all about perspective. We mustn’t be frightened by extensive populations or intense diversity. Either way, urbanization is a real trend that citizens worldwide will most likely experience. The choice you can make is between either using our city as a crutch of intimidation, or an element for empowerment. Neither Sacramento nor any other city is an exclusive culture. It’s a melting pot of opportunity!