Urban Life: Ridgewood
Contemporary urban life evolves as the domain that has absorbed historical tendencies and changes in human activities, which defined its design, governance and the image under the influence of various political,
social and economic factors. In this view, the current paper explores the urban geography of Ridgewood, Queens, NYC, USA, whose build environment and spatial distribution are viewed from the perspective of urban political economy and a variety of social theoretical settings.
1. Urban Political Economy
When I was walking along the streets of Ridgewood, I came to the intersection of Forest and Myrtle Avenues and saw the building of the main office of the Ridgewood Savings Bank. The building irradiated the spirit of
history with its limestone walls and high granite base. The building stood as the symbol of the local economic, social and political backgrounds of Ridgewood.
(A) In fact, banks are the primary symbols of the economic and political well-being of every social area, as they accumulate the wealth of the community, which is further used for the local needs.
(B) While on the outside banks remain silent and lifeless they are the key places in the economy of the city, which regulates the balance of “social, political and economic” (Hutter 142) factors that are the key
determinants of the growth patterns within the urban paradigm.
(C) Banks are located separately from the homes of the general public, but close to the places where the main political and economic processes take place.
(D) From the point of view of the theory of political economy, banks are the agents of “financial services” (149) that guarantee the survivability of the surrounding domains. Banks are not simply the lifeless buildings. They are the vessels of financial relations that nourish the city and serve the community. The scattered branches of the band all across Ridgewood testify to the social and political importance of their services.
2. Urban Planning and the City Beautiful Movement
During my journey through the streets of Ridgewood, I noticed the interesting design of the living quarters of the borough, I was fascinated with the design and construction patterns. The housing stock of family-row houses conveyed the social connections of the Ridgewood citizens, who are united by their urban architecture. This reminded me of Daniel Burnham and his City Beautiful movement.
(A) Despite the fact that the city beautiful movement was mainly …
