Reflection on the Urban Center

            Upon completion of these blogs, my awareness of the urban has been heightened. This blog in particular focused on the negative impacts these urban areas have had on our environment.  However, through the inspection of several of my colleague's blogs it is apparent that the processes are much more dynamic than they seem. Hence, they cannot be simply seen as harmful activity, rather there are various angles that these actions may be understood.

            Several of my post highlighted the over consumption which is occurring in the urban hubs. This consumption is stimulated by the high concentration of commercial areas within the towns and cities we reside. The main point I made was that these activities are exploiting the natural resources of the environment and breaching the carrying capacities, both in the urban spaces and in those areas where these resources are derived. On inspection of my classmates Cherise Ali and Alea Ali blogs, I found alternative views on the commerce that is occurring.

            Alea's blog post "Nature's Green Delight" focuses on some of the advantages commercial zones offer. The main point that stood out to me was these trading centers are an open forum for social communication and culture dissemination. Hence, they allow the gathering of people who share different background to meet in common areas. When at these areas they share, some of the culture with one another. Therefore, it can be stated that commerce unifies the population of the city.

            On the other hand, Cherise's blog post "Fast pace, fast food" explained the adverse effect commerce of fast foods is having on the city. However, the points raise take a look the negatives from a different angle as compare to my posts. She identifies how the urban population's taste for fast foods is degrading their health. Due to time constraints of a busy city life people settle for the unhealthy fast foods sold by the common franchises. Therefore, proving that there is multiple implications to these activities; they are not defined.

            In addition to these two posts, the blog post, "The Final" by Maya Cameron also intrigued me. This post focused on the dynamism of cities, quoting Mumford's in expressing cities as the products of time. She also expressed that the city will change, while its internal working change alongside. It is for this reason that, definitive descriptions should not be used for the urban. We should understand that these human creations are very complex and ever changing. Hence, when analyzing anything in the urban areas we should take a holistic view of all the inner workings.

            Altogether urban centers are comprised of a series of internal processes. As a result, many adverse and positive effects have ensued. Some of the negatives were highlighted in my blog. However, by reading my fellow colleague's entries it can be said that urban areas are vastly complex. It is for this reason that, the issues associated with these districts be closely observed from all angles. Since the city is intertwined and is constantly growing.