Spatial and temporal concepts as to what a city is can provide endless and ever-changing debate.
Cities have always been a gathering of people and a space for culture, society and civilisation.
Sometimes it is obvious the place you are in is a city and in other cases, not quiteso obvious. While not a particularly well-travelled person, I have been fortunate enough to visit some large densely populated urban centres in Asia and South America. When visiting these places it is obvious you are in a city. Later this year, the slightly less obvious Whangarei celebrates 50 years as a city which is certainly is worth thinking about what this actually means - if anything.
In its crudest sense, we assign the status of city to urban centres of a certain population. Cities are an economic entity, a means of organising populations efficiently; a place where jobs are and where there is a market for commerce.
In the early 20th century, 10 per cent of the world's population lived in cities, currently it is about 55 per cent and, by 2350, it may be as high as 75 per cent. So if we are fast becoming urban creatures, does this change, accompanied by advancements in technology, the relevance of being a city?
I guess they are still relevant because the convergence of population should offer people the opportunity to do what they want and fulfil their potential and, in doing so, create an environment that is collaborative and participative.
Being a city adds to our sense of place, acts as an attractant for people and economic activity, and lends to our regional identity. Whangarei has changed incredibly in the past 50 years; as well as an increased and more diverse population, we have improved infrastructure and community facilities greatly.
Whangarei is still growing and while growth in itself will not lead to a sustainable future, a city and district that can attract growth while several others around New Zealand are in decline is in itself a positive.
