Final answer:
Urbanization brought advancements like electric lighting and intracity transportation but also challenges such as housing shortages and transportation issues, which are often exacerbated by rapid city expansion and inadequacies in infrastructure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Urbanization and Its Challenges
Urbanization at the turn of the century was shaped by key innovations such as electric lighting, communication improvements, intracity transportation, and the development of skyscrapers. These technological advancements facilitated the growth of urban centers by improving living conditions and efficiency. However, urbanization also introduced significant challenges related to housing, transportation, and safety. The influx of people to cities, driven by job opportunities, often led to inadequate infrastructure, such as housing and transportation, leading to problems like traffic congestion, housing shortages, and increased cost of living. In fact, the cost of housing and transportation can be so high that living on minimum wage might not be feasible without considering essential expenses like food and medical care.
Local governments tackle these issues by providing essential goods and services funded by the general tax base, ensuring that services like fire department response and police protection are available to all citizens. Nonetheless, the rapid expansion of cities often exacerbates class inequalities and might lead to racial tensions, overcrowding in schools, and a widening economic gap between the rich and the poor. Urban planning and development, which might include community and regional development, play crucial roles in addressing these problems, optimizing transportation, and improving the standard of living for urban residents.