Connection between Cultural Geography and Urbanization - Coursework Example

Cultural Geography Cultural Geography On many occasions, cultural geography has been identified as a branch within another field (human geography), which focuses or looks into the diverse features and relations of human culture. This is especially in relation to the space and natural surroundings in which an individual occupies. There are relations that exist between cultural geography and other disciplines or areas in life, and one of the major areas that these relations exist is urbanization. Urbanization is the increase or addition of individuals living in urban areas, where the modern and technological resources present are higher than in rural areas. The increase in movement into an urban area leads to the physical growth of folks in the area, and can be used to describe certain conditions of an area at specific times (Gregory, Johnston & Pratt, 2011). This paper will examine the connection between cultural geography and urbanization, and the urban structure that is brought forth when people move from one area to another. The movement of people and products from rural to urban areas has resulted in the rapid expansion of cities and major towns. This is with regards to the population size and the infrastructure that is present in most areas. People opt to move from rural areas in a bid to make it to urban centers or areas, where there is the possibility of having many opportunities to carry out different activities that promote wealth creation. This is what most people think urban areas can do for them, and thus; the influx of individuals into major cities in the world. Cultural geography is there to foster relationships between individuals living in most urban areas, and also encourages exceptional relationships between people and their immediate environment. This is through the transfer of products into and around the region (Gregory, Johnston & Pratt, 2011). In doing so, cultural geography strives to maintain a balance between people and the environment in which they reside. Cities in most nations began to grow as a result of the evolution or advancement of machine use, which gave rise to great marketable farms and therefore quality cultural products. The presence of such amenities made it possible for all those involved in farming activities to reduce the number of laborers needed to perform duties and tasks on the commercial farms. This then pushed most people into urban areas in search of work, moving from one area to another to find jobs. This movement led to the relocation of most families from their rural homes to the rapidly expanding cities. The opportunities available in terms of education, cultural prospects, and even healthcare drew most people further into cities, leaving behind the rural areas to large scale farmers who would then strive to create an opportunity through production and supply to most urban areas (Gregory, Johnston & Pratt, 2011). The different aspects surrounding individuals often push for different reactions toward certain issues. The issue of evolution and transformation among countless individuals is what sometimes pushes for change in their personal lives. The need to acquire personal satisfaction is what pushes people to move from one place to another. This is especially if they feel they are not getting what they require from their immediate surroundings. Urbanization has given people the opportunity to acquire most of what they desire, and it is through urbanization that the world has seen advancement in most areas of life. Despite the cultural diversity and differences, individuals in urban areas have found a way to live amongst each other and foster good relations for the benefit of their immediate surroundings, and their overall satisfaction (Johnson, Schein & Winders, 2013). It is the overall belief that everyone is looking for something better that enables them to accommodate and tolerate each other in most urban areas that they are able to flourish. Cultural aspects of individuals in urban centers The individual cultures of individuals always blend into their immediate environment, without necessarily losing their individual characteristics or qualities. It is for this reason that most of the people in urban areas have some of their cultural beliefs in their places of dwelling, which take them back to their past and remind them of what they still have. This may be seen through their arts; which includes the music they listen to, their literature, their popular entertainment, and even their lifestyle. Moreover, urban structures present in most urban areas may also depend on the history that surrounds urban dwellers. This includes; their language and even the religion they subscribe to, which influences the structures that surround their daily lives (Johnson, Schein & Winders, 2013). All the above mentioned aspects of culture vary among urban dwellers. This means that any and all activities are carried out depending on what one believes in, and what it may mean to their daily lives. When one gets to mention arts as a cultural aspect, one needs to mention the varying types of arts that people prescribe to, and what they mean to them on a personal level. In most urban areas, there are various cultures that exist that lead to different activities from the people present (Johnson, Schein & Winders, 2013). In some areas, one might be treated to different exhibitions of art in the street, where the culture is displayed and demonstrated for the purpose of keeping it alive. This varying traits and characteristics try to keep an individual’s culture alive by portraying it in positive light. Themes about culture are brought out in theaters that promote cultural understanding among people in these areas. One thing that can be brought out as a result of these exhibits encourages the building of physical structures that ensure people have an avenue to express themselves, and get to relate with others in terms of their cultural backgrounds or their differences. The elements brought out through music often bring people together, fostering relationships between people who may not be well-accustomed to each other, but who are willing to work together for the sake of the greater good. This growth and development enables people to work in building physical structures that guide their everyday lives and help in creating livelihoods that can stand pressure from different avenues (Swanson, 2013). Sports and recreation among most cultural groups play a vital role in urbanization and creation of urban structures. Basketball courts and baseball fields are often erected in countless areas where different people get to enjoy amenities provided by the state. In some instances, people are given the chance to develop talents and then get sponsorship from different organizations that are or are not government operated. This means that the government or any other organization may be willing to support such talents if they are nurtured as they should. Some urban dwellers believe in the nurturing of these talents so as to provide an avenue for life improvement, and also a means of acquiring income. The construction of numerous sports grounds that host some of the biggest sporting events occur as a result of cultural geography (Swanson, 2013). People are then able to come together to enjoy some of the sporting events that occur monthly, annually, or even after a few years. Religion, even though described as a source of division, may act as a people’s cultural tie. Countless people around the world often relate to each other through religion. This is due to the fact that they all want to believe in something, or need to understand the whole concept of spirituality. Urban structures that act as places of worship are erected to indicate the presence of spirituality in many regions. The use of technology has led to the construction of state of the art places of worship, which acts to unite people from all around the world (Swanson, 2013). An example that would come to mind is the Muslim community that congregates at Mecca during their holy month of worship. This culture has stood the test of time, and even though other religions may not fully comprehend what happens during this assembly, people learn to respect such beliefs. The evolution of music is as a result of urbanization. People are accustomed to listening to a certain kind of music because of their lifestyle. Their culture also has a part to play in it as countless musicians develop a sound that is familiar to the people in their immediate environment. The socio-cultural background that most people share often traces back to the music that was produced and developed in the past. This has led to the promotion of different sounds that are largely and universally appreciated. The production, distribution, and sale of music in different quarters require manpower and the right resources to ensure that every region acquires the music. This means that, every production unit must have a distribution supply chain and this involves modern, state of the art studios that guarantee effective and quality production of music. All this is possible through cultural geography (Swanson, 2013). The urban setting or structure, as seen from the above aspects, can be affected tremendously. This can either be positively or negatively depending on the current situation people are facing. Urban structures heavily rely on these cultural aspects in order to provide the accurate amenities needed for personal satisfaction or gratification (Anderson, 2009). It may also change with the changing times in which most societies or urban dwellings are faced with, which means that people are the main cause of such change. Any improvements may be based on the feelings of the people, especially if they feel that they need more from their immediate surroundings. One thing worth mentioning about the development of infrastructure is the possibility of more movement of people from diverse parts of the world who might enable the construction and development of different structures in urban centers. The movement of culturally diverse people may only be possible if the people have the skill and technological know-how to increase an area’s urban setting. Also, the fact that more labor is required to satisfy the growing demand increases the movement of people from rural areas to urban centers for jobs in construction sites (Anderson, 2009). This brings in diverse cultures that aim at improving the welfare of the urban dwellers, and the overall setting of the immediate environment. In order for people to interact freely, they need something that binds them together. The urban setting may be something to marvel at in some instances. This fosters different relations among people who feel connected to certain things, and in the long run, may lead to a common understanding among all people located in the same urban setting and the cultural products present. In conclusion, cultural geography aims at fostering relationships between people who might not necessarily have the same or common background. The only thing that might get them to understand or comprehend their current situations is the fact that they are in the same environment, and that they need each other in order to survive. This is despite their cultural differences or the fact that they all came from different areas. The diverse features and products that guarantee the common nature of individuals comes into play when cultural geography is in question (Crang, 2013). Its connection to urbanization is often clear to people who try to comprehend why or how this branch looks into the aspect of human culture in relation to their natural surroundings. References Anderson, J. (2009). Understanding cultural geography: Places and traces. London: SAGE. Crang, M. (2013). Cultural geography. New York: Taylor & Francis Publishing. Gregory, D., Johnston, R., & Pratt, G. (2011). The dictionary of human geography. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Johnson, N. C., Schein, R. C., & Winders, J. (2013). The Wiley-Blackwell companion to cultural geography. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Swanson, K. (2013). Kaplan AP human geography 2014. London: Macmillan Publishers. Read More