Final answer:
The statement describes suburbanization, which is the movement of people from urban centers to nearby suburban communities, facilitated by improved transportation and the need to be close to cities for employment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The societal shift being described in the statement refers to suburbanization. This process involved people moving away from crowded and often impoverished city centers to the communities surrounding cities, known as suburbs. The expansion of urban populations and improvements in transportation options, such as the introduction of the electric streetcar, contributed to the development of suburbs. These areas were typically close enough to cities to allow for a daily commute for work but offered more space and a quieter environment than city living. Suburbanization represented a middle ground for those who needed to be near the city for their jobs but preferred to live in less dense and possibly more family-oriented communities.