A plan for the egalitarian city

¶ … Egalitarian City

I believe that anything is possible if the human mind would simply apply itself to a common collective, or even an individual goal. What is needed is simply sufficient will to accomplish what is planned, and ultimate success will be possible, or even inevitable. The same is true for the creation of the egalitarian city, and indeed, I believe that the world is steadily moving to such a conception of society in an entirely natural way. The plan I would like to propose for the establishment of an egalitarian city is based upon an intertwinement of concepts, which basically includes the concepts of community, the city, and communication technology.

Some argue that the sense of community has been lost in the post-industrial age, where cities grew increasingly densely populated, but also increasingly impersonal. Interacting with an increasing amount of people on a daily basis brought about a lack of deep friendships, and hence the sense of connection via these friendship. According to E. Barbara Philips (2010, p. 166), a sense of community is a central element in combating loneliness. Post-industrial cities have ironically become lonely places to be, as truly deep interpersonal relationships became a thing of a distant past.

The growth of the concept of the "global village" has however changed this. A new sense of community has come about in the form of online connection. Although never meeting face-to-face, people in online support groups become close friends, based only upon a single aspect of their experience and personality, i.e. people who join a support group for crime victims may have similar experiences with crime, but wildly divergent ideas on religion and morality, as well as differing in terms of ethnic and racial background. Hence the "community" concept in the online world differs from that in the real world in terms of the general homogeneity that is expected of traditional communities. This can then be used in a plan to bring about an egalitarian city. Indeed, online support groups can become platforms not only for support in terms of a single event or personality trait, but also for learning about and respecting interpersonal differences.

Respecting interpersonal difference will then have to be at the heart of creating the egalitarian city, since the reality remains that all cities are inherently heterogeneous. As long as cultural, racial, and other forms of prejudice exist, equality will not be possible. Hence, the online community can be used as a driver for and the perpetuation of egalitarian cities.

To accomplish this, one proposal is to implement a city Website for those who wish to meet other city dwellers and learn about them. It must also be ensured that all citizens in the city have computer access to make such an interconnection possible. The Website can then include groups for any types of interests that might be presented across the city, including pets, flowers, cancer survivors, travel, as well as for various professions. City dwellers must be free to join any number of groups to promote their interpersonal connections within the city. Such a sense of connection would create a sense of community and hence equality among everyone connecting with each other.

In terms of policing, online policies and practices must be in place to ensure that rules are enforced for the purpose of optimizing the online experience for everyone. Antisocial practices such as uploading viruses, sending spam, and the like must not be tolerated and must be prosecuted.

In Philips (2010, p. 179), Louis Wirth's definition of a city is quoted as "a relatively large, dense, and permanent settlement of socially heterogeneous individuals." Wirth goes on to say that increasing the interpersonal interactions among these heterogeneous individuals significantly reduces the severity of class division. Furthermore, the interdependence of city dwellers tends to bring them into contact with a wide range of individuals during their everyday lives. Online contact with such divergent individuals will increase the interpersonal understanding and respect that different types of people have for each other, and hence create equality in the city itself.

In terms of the economy, the plan should include an element towards using the interdependence of city dwellers to create various types of work and economic opportunities to satisfy every need in the city. A wide range of work opportunities will cater to a wide range of abilities and personality types. Individuals must also be free to choose what type of work will satisfy them most or bring the greatest fulfillment, whether in economic or other terms.

Of course creating a city on a completely different economic basis than the current one of competition, supply and demand is completely unrealistic. These elements of the economy can however be used to promote equality among individuals by means of human rights. Each human being living in the city must have the right to take part in economic competition or the work activities of their choice.