Suzanna Wilkinson

The Impact of Rapid Growth in Sunbelt Cities on the Youth Experience

Started June 1, 2023

Abstract or project description

Over the last two decades, the cities of Charlotte, Austin, and Nashville have all experienced substantial growth both in regard to population and economics. With this, the identities of cities have changed. Many long-term residents feel that growth and rapid development have created a loss of identity, culture, and connectivity within the city. This loss of identity has directly impacted the development of youth in said cities. They have grown up seeing rapid development and witnessed. Additionally, cities such as Charlotte, Nashville, and Austin have limited walkable infrastructure and unreliable transit systems with a lack of connectivity. As a result, kids are disconnected from the rest of the city which isolates them from jobs and extracurriculars. Additionally, this disconnectivity results in poorer mental health for youth as they are condensed to a small part of the city, missing out on connecting with new people and exploring what the city has to offer.