Final answer:
A divided city or house suggests a lack of unity that can result in instability and decay, as per Lincoln's view on a government divided by slavery, and observable in cities with racial segregation, inequality, and capital flight.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a city or house is divided, it signifies a breakdown of unity and cooperation which can lead to dysfunction and failure. Drawing from history, Abraham Lincoln's prophetic statement that “A house divided against itself cannot stand” illustrates that a government or society divided by fundamental disagreements, such as slavery, will not be able to endure permanently without resolving its differences. The same principle applies to cities facing issues like racial segregation, inequality, and capital flight. These divisions can create a cycle of decay, disinvestment, and segregation, hindering the development of harmonious and prosperous communities. As a consequence, divided cities may experience a decline in community well-being, increased poverty, and heightened tensions among different groups.