Cities and towns; Social psychology; Sociology; Sociology, Urban
Just as the city as a whole is influenced in its position, function, and
growth by competitive factors which are not the result of the design of
anyone, so the city has an internal organization which may be termed an
ecological organization, by which we mean the spatial distribution of
population and institutions and the temporal sequence of structure and
function following from the operation of selective, distributive, and
competitive forces tending to produce typical results wherever they are
at work. Every city tends to take on a structural and functional pattern
determined by the ecological factors that are operative. The internal
ecological organization of a city permits of more intensive study and
accurate analysis than the ecology of the city from the external
standpoint. For the latter phase of the subject we will have to rely on
further investigations of the economists, the geographers, and the
statisticians. The facts of the local groupings of the population that
arise as a result of ecological factors are, however, readily accessible
to the sociologist.
I. Plant ecologists have been accustomed to use the expression “natural
area” to refer to well-defined spatial units having their own peculiar
characteristics. In human ecology the term “natural area” is just as
applicable to groupings according to selective and cultural
characteristics. Land values are an important index to the boundaries of
these local areas. Streets, rivers, railroad properties, street-car
lines, and other distinctive marks or barriers tend to serve as dividing
lines between the natural areas within the city.
Addams, Jane. _A New Conscience and an Ancient Evil_ (New York, 1912).
A discussion of vice and the vice district in Chicago. (V, 4; VI,
6.)
Anderson, Nels. _The Hobo: The Sociology of the Homeless Man_
(Chicago, 1923).
The study of a typical deteriorated area in the city where the
homeless men congregate. (VII, 5; IX, 4.)
Bab, Julius. _Die Berliner Bohème_, Vol. II in “Grossstadt Dokumente”
(Berlin, 1905).
An intimate study of a natural area which has developed an exotic
atmosphere as a result of the social isolation of its members and
their peculiar personalities. At the same time furnishes an
excellent history of a local community and is a unique contribution
to the mentality of city life. (V, 3; VII, 2; IX, 2, 3, 4.)
Booth, Charles. _Life and Labor of the People of London_ (London,
1892).
The most comprehensive study of London in existence. Especially
interesting in this connection for its description of the natural
areas of that city. Volume V, on East London, offers a wealth of
insight into city life. These volumes cover almost every phase of
city life and should be cross-referenced with most of the categories
suggested in this outline.
Brown, Junius Henri. _The Great Metropolis: A mirror of New York_
(Hartford, 1869).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account