Final answer:
True, the wealthiest families established fashionable districts in cities during the last half of the 1800s, exemplified by the elite zones in American cities and the urban redesigns in Europe, such as Baron Haussmann's renovation of Paris.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true; during the last half of the 1800s, the wealthiest families did indeed establish fashionable districts in various cities. This was a time of significant change due to the Industrial Revolution. As urban areas grew, there was a clear divide in housing. Governments started to take action on housing conditions by imposing regulations to prevent the spread of diseases and by redesigning cities. The Baron Haussmann's renovation of Paris is a well-known example where workers' housing was torn down, and slums were cleared from the city center. However, separating the affluent areas from the poor neighborhoods was not always successful, and instances where prestigious areas neighbored impoverished districts were not uncommon. This proximity could lead to problems, as exemplified by the flooding of a poor neighborhood next to the emperor's palace in Japan.
Moreover, the creation of elite zones was witnessed in American cities. The upper-middle and upper-class residents tended to live in districts along grand boulevards, like Michigan Avenue in Chicago. These areas were strategically placed to avoid the unpleasant, polluted industrial zones typically found on the eastern halves of cities due to prevailing winds. This created a socio-economic division based on geographical location. Cities like Chicago, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit fit into this pattern, displaying a distinct separation of social classes by sectors influenced by factors such as waterfront location and industrial corridors.