Final answer:
Within large cities, the locations where people choose to live are determined by a combination of economic means, personal needs, societal influences, and the neighborhood life cycle. Over time, wealthier citizens might move to newer areas, lower-income groups occupy older developments, and some neighborhoods may experience gentrification. Urbanization encourages the development of suburbs and exurbs, with economies of agglomeration underpinning the formation and growth of cities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that determines where a person lives within a large city is influenced by a myriad of factors like economic status, family needs, personal preferences, and societal trends. Over time neighborhoods experience a neighborhood life cycle that reflects changes in these factors and influences the distribution of different socioeconomic groups within the city. Initially, as new housing developments emerge, they are often occupied by those who can afford them, namely, the wealthier citizens.
Over time, the housing becomes less desirable, and people with higher incomes move towards newer developments, leaving the older homes to become more affordable and often occupied by lower-income residents. This process can sometimes lead to the degradation of a neighborhood's quality, causing congestion and maintenance issues such as leaky roofs and inefficient heating systems.
As this cycle continues, some neighborhoods may face abandonment, while others experience gentrification, where wealthier individuals move back into older neighborhoods, attracted by the character or potential of the area, thus reversing some of the decay and propelling a new phase in the neighborhood life cycle. Gentrification often improves the housing quality and attracts new businesses, but can also displace long-term, lower-income residents due to rising costs.
In the context of urbanization, the growth of urban populations worldwide particularly in the United States has significantly influenced the dynamics of city living. This increase has proliferated the development of suburbs and exurbs, leading to changes in where different economic and social classes reside within the greater urban environment.
The emergence of cities themselves can be viewed as a product of economies of agglomeration, which is based on the principle of economies of scale applied to urban centers. The concentration of people and economic activities in cities brings about cost and time savings, especially in terms of transportation and access to infrastructure, making urban living convenient and efficient despite the drawbacks like noise, pollution, and crime that some residents may dislike.
Ultimately, the location of neighborhoods and the distribution of wealth within the urban landscape can also serve as an indicator of a city's history and resource availability, significantly shaping the identities and daily routines of those who inhabit them.