It is increasingly common in large urban areas for neighbors to interact less. In my opinion, this results in a declining sense of community and the solutions must be individually motivated.
In most cities today, the lack of connection between neighbors has caused less culturally unique neighborhoods. An illustrative counter-example to this would be famous neighborhoods such as Venice Beach in Los Angeles and Greenwich Village in New York City. In the past, individuals living in these areas shared similar values and that led to a flourishing of a unique culture. One result of such a sense of community was the “Beat Poets” of Greenwich. Related to this is the fading distinctiveness of communities that have value for locals and tourists alike. An individual living in a district in a major metropolis today feels little sentiment for its streets, buildings and other inhabitants and therefore derives nearly nothing in the way of a singular shared identity.
Remedies for the problems detailed above involve individual initiative. Governments attempting to contrive a sense of community will likely only provoke backlash. Instead, individuals could choose to live in parts of a city with a heritage that suits them and not join mass movements toward gentrification. A standout example of this would be expatriate enclaves in developing nations. These communities are able to preserve some of their cultural traditions and are entirely the result of individuals choosing to live together with those who represent their values and interests. This could be replicated on a larger scale if city residents choose their homes more thoughtfully and are more respectful of the traditions of any given community.
In conclusion, the problems stemming from less involvement between neighbors affect the community at large and should be dealt with by those most impacted by the ramifications. In this way, some cultural integrity can be preserved in a globalized world.
It is
increasingly
common in large urban areas for neighbors to interact less. In my opinion, this results in a declining sense of
community
and the solutions
must
be
individually
motivated.
In most
cities
today
, the lack of
connection between
neighbors has caused less
culturally
unique neighborhoods. An illustrative counter-example to this would be
famous
neighborhoods such as Venice Beach in Los Angeles and Greenwich Village in New York City. In the past,
individuals
living in these areas shared similar values and that led to a flourishing of a unique culture. One result of such a sense of
community
was the “Beat Poets” of Greenwich. Related to this is the fading distinctiveness of
communities
that have value for locals and tourists alike. An
individual
living in a district in a major metropolis
today
feels
little
sentiment for its streets, buildings and other inhabitants and
therefore
derives
nearly
nothing in the way of a singular shared identity.
Remedies for the problems detailed above involve
individual
initiative.
Governments
attempting to contrive a sense of
community
will likely
only
provoke backlash.
Instead
,
individuals
could choose to
live
in parts of a city with a heritage that suits them and not
join
mass movements toward gentrification. A standout example of this would be expatriate enclaves in developing nations. These
communities
are able to preserve
some
of their cultural traditions and are
entirely
the result of
individuals
choosing to
live
together with those who represent their values and interests. This could
be replicated
on a larger scale if city residents choose their homes more
thoughtfully
and are more respectful of the traditions of any
given
community.
In conclusion
, the problems stemming from less involvement between neighbors affect the
community
at large and should
be dealt
with by those most impacted by the ramifications. In this way,
some
cultural integrity can
be preserved
in a globalized world.