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Toward an Understanding of Metropolitan America Report of the Social Science Panel on the Significance of Community in the Metropolitan Environment of the Advisory Committee to the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Assembly of Behavioral and Socia (1974) / Chapter Skim
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Introduction: The Problem of Defining Community
Pages 1-6

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From page 1...
... In posing the question, it sought to obtain both a better understanding of what is happening in urban organization and urban life, broadly conceived, and to gain a better appreciation of whether the neighborhood or local community continues to serve any significant needs of the urban population. The meaning of community has been greatly affected by the increasing predominance of urbanization as the common way of life for Americans.
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From page 2...
... Yet, the traditional idea is still popular, and it continues to influence public policy at many points. One use of the word community then is to refer to a grouping of people who live close to one another and are united by common interests and mutual aid.
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From page 3...
... Technological advances over the past century are the main source of these changes, and improvements in transportation and communications appear to be the most critical and strategic. Improvements in transportation and communication facilities modify the costs of and opportunities for human interaction, the pursuit of common interests, and the conduct of collective enterprise.
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From page 4...
... In either case, the location, density, and composition of the urban population may differ from previous patterns. The knowledge industries, a major source of economic growth within the service sector, depend on a national and international information system.
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From page 5...
... At the same time, social mobility and rapid communication have provided and continue to provide in greater and greater measure, the opportunity to experiment with new modes of thought; new forms of religion, family structure, music, and art; and with new life styles. The pattern of interests and activities associated with the various stages in the family life cycle is also changing.
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Key Terms

  • defining community
  • urban population
  • urban settlements
  • term community
  • social unit

  • metropolitan america
  • service sector
  • life styles
  • common urban
  • urban culture

  • urban centers
  • urban america
  • urban setting
  • urban organization
  • family life

  • daily life
  • family structure
  • service activities
  • expanding scale
  • industrial production

  • term maybe
  • collective life
  • increasing size
  • common activities
  • industrial activities

  • local neighborhood
  • diffused population
  • move considerable
  • americans live
  • common set


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