Urbanization: Upside and Downside

Jeffrey Sachs addresses several trends in our economy, the Urban Century being one of them.  Urbanization seems to be making its way quickly across the country.  Of course, as with anything, there are positive and negative affects to this advancement.  Each of the two articles I found speak mainly on one of those options.  The article promoting urbanization points out different states, like North Carolina, New York City, and California, and shows how each place is striving for a more individual-based community.  It is mentioned how broad areas of land take away from the close friendships with neighbors.  Cities, where houses and apartments are closer together, allow people to see more faces throughout the day and give a better sense of community.  A Massachusetts resident, I am not sure I completely agree with this statement, as I have walked the streets of Boston many times and have not felt personally connected with the people I am passing.  Cities have a "rushed" atmosphere and are very career oriented.  Most of the people you see on the sidewalks are not walking for leisure, but instead to get somewhere important.  Everyone has a destination, and I do not get the sense of peace and community that some are hoping to achieve.  However, that brings up another point.  With limited walking distances from place to place in cities, there is less usage of gas and automobiles.  It is becoming regular for people to bike to work, and bicycle lanes are rising in number across the country.

Still, there are side affects to these seemingly wonderful economic changes.  The second article I found addresses an issue that many people would be quick to oversee.  Considering ourselves the most important species, when it comes to other creatures, we are not so compassionate.  Animals are a very important part of life on this earth, and while they may not have the ability to speak and reason and have moral choices, like humans, they are still God's creations, and it is important to watch after them when we are able.  Increase in urbanization is threatening a decrease in genetic diversity.  Urban barriers make it difficult, if not impossible, for animals to cross over to different areas.  This forces them to inbreed, therefore losing relation with other species and causes them to be severely isolated.  While this may not seem like a major issue for some people, it seems to me that the more we change as a people, the more we negatively affect everything around us.  While we may be benefitting ourselves, we need to realize that we are not the only occupants of this planet.  I am not saying that I think urbanization is a horrible idea and we need to save all the animals.  However, I do think that we all, as individuals, need to take into consideration the effects on the entire planet because of our decisions, and not just the effects on ourselves.  In doing so, we are able to create a truer and deeper sense of community.