Adam Giladi 4/1/13 A Shift to the Sunbelt The changing global economy has lead to an increased interconnection between nations and the mass movement of individuals from one area to another. This movement of people could be seen on a smaller scale within our own country as individuals migrate with the jobs in our changing economy. Domestic regional shift since the 1960s involves the move from the rustbelt up north, to the sunbelt down south. The southwest, especially, has been growing at a highly exponential rate over the last 30 years. The rust belt, including cities such as Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Detroit first prospered due to their proximity to a water source. Jobs would come to these cities throughout the 19 th century as factories for steel and manufacturing brought men and women to new urban areas. The south used to be a region that was dependent on its northern neighbors for economic stability, as the north would produce finished goods from southern raw materials. The south was solely an agricultural entity, but this is slowly changing. I will be showing photos that demonstrate the striking urban similarities between new Sunbelt cities such Phoenix and older cites like Chicago and New York. As the Sunbelt grew in the 1970s its was gaining success due to the influx of Mexican immigrant workers and the booming agricultural industry. Today the Sunbelt is known for housing more modern industries, including the high tech, high skill jobs that moved people from the factory floor to behind a desk cubicle. As the manufacturing boom that dominated industrial America began to move overseas, for the sake of cheaper
labor, people began to see the south as prosperous, for opportunities beyond agricultural. Oil, aerospace, military and even the retirement industry are beginning to base their operations down south, taking advantage of the warm climate, vast spaces, and openness that northern cities just couldn t provide. The rustbelt of former generations was one of great promise and prosperity. In the late 1800s, industries like steel were booming due to changes in transportation and architecture. Pittsburgh and Buffalo were places that would see an influx of immigrates looking for work and a start at the American Dream. One reason for the great success in the region was the growing emphasis on American manufacturing in the early 20 th century and a de- emphasis on our agriculture. The steel industry s achievements would be made possible by Pittsburgh completely controlling the prices of steel that went down south. Southern steel plants could not compete with northern ones so they would fail quickly. The south would remain relatively underdeveloped for the next century, due to their weak relations with the north and a lack of internal capital (Cities, Changes, And Conflict Pages. 89-91). Economic and social prosperity in these cities would not last forever, however. Factories would begin to close and be shipped overseas and down south, as labor was immensely cheaper and non- unionized. When talking about the top shrinking areas in the United States, the rustbelt cities are mentioned greatly (MSN.com). Over half on this list is a rustbelt city, including Buffalo, Rochchester, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Dayton and Syracuse. Cities that still house and employ many people are slowly dying off; showing some of the highest unemployment. My first picture is an example modern Pittsburgh industry s turn away from the steel it prided itself only
a generation or two earlier. The factory in the picture is dilapidated, abandoned, unkept, with graffiti gracing its doors. The factory lies to the left of the Alleghany River that supported its early success, and to the right of the rail that it helped so greatly to produce. Old factory building along the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh.
Factory in Pittsburgh As Trends change in our economic and cultural landscape it is generally coupled with urban and regional shifts. After World War II, a new pattern emerged in the southern economy that would help spur growth and movement in many regions. One was the low- wage manufacturing and textile industries that grew due to cheap undocumented labor flooding in from Mexico. A New Urban Sociologist would say that the Sunbelt s growth was heavily accredited to government subsidization. Through programs and laws the government would set up favorable conditions that would hinder a growth in southern business. The government Programs would install would highways and electricity in previously unrefined spaces. They would locate there military and aerospace bases in the south disproportionately. Government agencies are also allowing contracts for southern- based businesses to produce the latest military technology (Cities, Changes, And Conflict Pages. 89-91). The Sunbelt has always been used as a way for the
government to maximize profits. The land is very open and waiting to be built upon. My second picture is of the Midtown Phoenix skyline. Phoenix, Arizona is quickly becoming a populated, industrious vibrant city. It has a combination of western landscape with modern office buildings being constructed around and within it. Skyscrapers that weren t there just years earlier are beginning to grace new southwest urban centers. These southern cities begin to take on the feeling of the traditional cities up north, with more commercial real estate and less residential spaces; however the mountain skyline in the back reminds you exactly where you are.
Today the Sunbelt is taking on an diverse array of jobs and individuals. New urban centers would open in areas such as Atlanta and Houston would bring blacks back to the south after the great migration north. In 1990, Sun Belt cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas and San Antonio were among the ten largest in the U.S As the demographics and economy change to fit modern times a shift in what is produced in the sunbelt would change. Industries such as agribusiness, heavy manufacturing, tourism, and alternative energy plants would help to shape the new Sunbelt. Tourism would naturally grow due to its tremendous climate and alternative energy to use its pristine open areas to help drive us to the future. Although this area goes through the same rises and falls of our economy, it still sees an ever increasing population as businesses begin to capitalize on the opportunities the south can truly provide.
Wind Turbines outside of Phoenix, Az