Members of a small ethnic community experienced challenges as a huge city expanded to the borders of their town, affecting the dynamic of their previously close-knit and locally governed society. Historical examples of urbanization show displacement, tension, and the transformation of cities with the influx of immigrants forming ethnic enclaves.
Members of the small ethnic community were challenged when they discovered that a huge city would soon be built on the borders of their town. The growth and expansion of cities often introduced a mix of emotions among current residents, especially those living in close-knit communities who were used to local rule and participatory town-hall meetings. These communities, previously consisting of clustered villages or towns, were now facing the realities of urbanization.
As history demonstrates, city expansion can lead to the displacement of established communities and create tension among different social and economic groups. For example, poor people who initially built their houses as close to the central plaza for proximity to jobs and marketplaces were part of an urban development process called in situ accretion. This process often resulted in the further growth of the city, introducing new housing rings that expanded outward from the Central Business District (CBD).
The complex history of urbanization also reveals how immigrants settled into tight-knit communities within cities, bringing their customs, forming ethnic neighborhoods, and shaping the fabric of urban landscapes. However, this rapid urban growth sometimes led to anti-immigrant sentiments and policies, emphasizing a less welcoming environment for those who were new to the city.