Final answer:
Urban life in the late 1800s and early 1900s improved with technological and infrastructure developments, including the advent of electric lighting, communication advances, improved public transportation, and the construction of skyscrapers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Life in cities improved in the late 1800s and early 1900s primarily due to technological advancements and urban planning innovations. The introduction of electric lighting allowed cities to operate safely after dark, enhancing both productivity and quality of life. The communication improvements, like the telephone, benefited urban centers by enabling faster and more efficient communication, curtailing the need for face-to-face exchanges that could exacerbate crowded conditions.
Moreover, city planners faced the immediate challenges of urban life, such as congestion and disease caused by poor sanitation in tenement housing. To address these issues, public health initiatives and infrastructure development, including new sewage systems, were implemented. Intracity transportation was revolutionized with horse-drawn streetcars giving way to electric streetcars and subways, facilitating the movement of people and reducing the traffic and pollution caused by horses. Finally, the development of skyscrapers allowed cities to expand vertically, easing the problem of overcrowding and giving rise to the iconic city skylines we recognize today.