Important Points
In this chapter the author discusses capitalism and its effects on population growth, migration, agriculture, and mining.
As urbanization increased industrialization increased as well. With the increase of industrialization came the need for coal to run the increased number of factories.
Contrast between agricultural (above ground)and mining (underground): Agriculture is described as creating, "a balance between wild nature and man's social needs". It is an example of disciplined purpose, orderly growth, and beautiful form." (p. 450) while the process of mining is viewed as destructive. "..the immediate product of the mine is disorganized and inorganic." (p. 450)
How is mining associated with un-building?
Factories soon became the heart of the city. Things such as art, religion, and politics came second to the factories which were given the best locations within cities. Even water is considered less important than the almighty factory. In many cases streams and rivers were used as cheap dumping grounds for waste produced by the factories.
Within these cities the factories contribited to the creation of a working class that live in neighborhoods that could in some sense represent an "underground". Industrial housing is described, "Block after block repeates the same formation: there are the same dreary streets, the same shadowed , rubbish filled alleys, the same absence of open spaces for children's play and gardens..." (p. 465) Even the smog in the air from the factories created the illusion of a dark underground enviornment.
The creation of sanitation and public hygiene was one of the greatest things to come out of the industrial city. ( Cult of Cleanliness) Before measures were taken to improve public sanitation, many of the wealthier individuals left the city and fled to the countryside.
Francesca Howland
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