The Emergence of a City

Why do cities emerge in some places but not others? This isn't a hidden fact, rather its something we learn in Grade 8 Social Studies. But its easily forgotten, and lost with time.

We know that Detroit is a city built by the automobile ... but why Detroit at all? Apparently, Detroit is close to ore deposits which help build cars somehow.

One thing that seems to clearly to the emergence of a city is a bay. A bay is an area of water mostly surrounded or otherwise demarcated by land. Bays generally have calmer waters than the surrounding sea, due to the surrounding land blocking some waves and often reducing winds. Lack of winds and waves can be quite conducive to commerce and are also nice to look at.

Not so long ago, the sea was the most obvious (and, sometimes only) choice for transport of goods. In some ways, it still is. It just doesn't make sense to get your imported canned peas flown in. We are capable of patience. With the importance of shipping routes goes bays (or rivers, at least).

Will our concept of urban center ever escape from the notion of natal proximity? Probably not. It should be one of those few constants that define the anthromorphic condition of living on this hot and salty planet.

There are some exceptions. Phoenix (the city not the mythical bird) is not near any major water source suitable for the shipment of goods but is now a major city. But, this should remain an exception. (FYI: Residents of Phoenix= Phoenicians.... That's Fucked!) In this vein, there will be no major cities in Kazakstan or anywhere on the Asian plain. Likewise, Saskatchewan shall remain Saskatchewan, never to be NYC.

And, don't tell me about trucking. The heyday of trucking has passed due to rising fuel costs - and, in its time, could not solely maintain a signifigant city of great population density without aid of harbour, river or bay. Boats needn't ever worry about fuel. Everyone knows that boats are fueled by their respective captains love of the sea.

Possible Equation(s)

(Proximity to) Natural Resource multiplied by (Proximity to) Bay or Harbour + Established Rule of Law (necessary for flourishment eg. see Africa) = Emergence of City

(Proximity to) minor River + Emergence of Air Conditioning + Old People who like Dry Air = Phoenix