Question: How did young American cities, such as New York City and Washington, D.C., differ from cities you studied in Europe (Rome, Venice, etc.)? What factors most influenced their growth and development? Are these two cities more similar or more different?

Expert answer

American cities differed from European cities in a number of ways. One of the most important factors that influenced their growth and development was the availability of land. In Europe, cities were often built on top of existing settlements, which made expansion difficult. In contrast, American cities had plenty of open space available for growth.

Another factor that influenced the development of American cities was the presence of natural resources. European cities were often located near key trade routes or other sources of wealth, such as mines or farmland. American cities, on the other hand, had access to vast reserves of timber, coal, and other natural resources that allowed them to fuel their growth.