The inner-city problem is one of both growth and decline. Discuss.

The city is undeniably the centre of much of our social action. It is the arena in which most of our economic, political and commercial activity tends to occur, and it has become the most popular place to socialise, and to experience the cultural aspects of the modern world. Its evolution has involved a number of changing processes, and each of these has brought its own challenges and problems.

This discussion will address the evolution of the city in terms of the processes of growth and decline. Firstly, I will explain how this debate is in fact firmly rooted in the classical sociological theories on modernity and industrialization, and this will reflect the explosive growth of Western cities…(short extract)