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1. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM
(ARC61303)
SYNOPSIS: REACTION PAPER (MARCH 2018)
Name: Zoe Low Li Mien ID No.: 0319444
Lecturer: Nicholas Ng Tutorial Time: 10am-1pm
Reader/Text Title: Urbanism as a way of life Synopsis No: 1
Author: Louis Wirth
Louis Wirth argues that the definition of urbanism is solely based on human growth and
population in terms of sociological aspects.
Wirth defines a city as “a relatively large, dense and permanent settlement of
socially heterogeneous individuals.” Page 190. The effect of Urbanisation on the
population inside the city in terms of behaviour and diversity of individuals compared to
rural areas.To prove this point, he uses 3 main concepts: population size, density and
social heterogeneity to determine the way the city has grown. He displays that a larger
number of a population will increase the differentiation of people through interactions.
This diversity of individuals is due to their ethnic backgrounds, social status and own
preferences. Creating no emotional ties between each other as they prioritise their
selfish desires to satisfy and fulfill their life needs. The closer they live and work together
in one area hence the denser the population, the more competitive the scenario
becomes. As they have to make use of the current existing facilities and institutions
often. Leading society to become individualistic as this complicates the social structure
of the city, formed by them. Whereas in contrast to a rural area, the people growing
there are more familiarised with each other from their low numbers. Proving that a
quality of a city affects its inhabitants.
I do believe that the qualities of a city does affect the inhabitants individually however
there are other factors that can affect the personality of the citizens. For instance, a
country stance on immigration might affect the level of ethnicity within their country or
not. When the qualities of a city prove to be greater, populations from foreign or rural
areas intend to shift and live into this form of urbanism. Increasing the level of social
heterogeneity due to unexpected arrivals from other cultures. Therefore his definition of
urbanism is not specified even though there is numerous exploration or detailed
research of it.
Word Count: 322 Mark Grade

2. Assessed by: Date Page No.