The land that our city resides on was once indigenous lands. Settlers from Europe adopted a permanent residency within the area that is now known as Hot Pottsburgh, centered around the river. The current area encompassing Hot Pottsburgh is a result of the forced migration of indigenous peoples by the settlers. Due to the close proximity to the water, Hot Pottsburgh became an important intermediary point in our Campbellot’s trade network, which transported goods from all over the nation to the harbor located by Community C. In accordance with this, Hot Pottsburgh was also an intermediary point for the transportation and distribution of slaves during Campbellot’s participation in slavery and the slave trade. This also is indicative of the foundations of Hot Pottsburgh’s current cultural diversity, as it later became a central area for immigrants who are entering Campbellot to put down roots. Hot Pottsburgh became a natural destination for immigrants, as an area near Community C, but with less economic expenses surrounding basic human needs, such as shelter and food.
A major shift in the cultural dynamics within Hot Pottsburgh began with the slow eradication of slavery within the nation and the shift from travel by water to that of trains and then planes. As trade started to be conducted by trains, Hot Pottsburgh lost importance within internal trade due to our lack of land infrastructure. As Hot Pottsburgh lost economic importance and formerly-enslaved peoples gained social standing, tensions between themselves and their former-slavers grew high, which was managed through separation, with racially-marginalized groups within the city and their white counterparts moving to the outskirts or other communities, which were developed into suburban areas.
Given that Hot Pottsburgh is located by a river and that it is also relatively close to the ocean compared to other communities in Campbellot, it became an optimal location for the acceptance of immigrant populations, which have varied throughout the years. This is indicated within their high cultural diversity and the current influx of immigrants. As time marched on, the racial, economic, and temporal conditions of the residents within the community defined the identity of the city. Hot Pottsburgh’s population consists mostly of Black people and other People of Color who, for various reasons, have not been given the opportunity to set down roots. This has allowed many aspects of the city to fall into disrepair and neglect, which is can be seen through their infrastructure and the educational and economic opportunities of the residents. Hot Pottsburgh’s downtown area houses various businesses that are owned by some of the upper- and middle-class members of the community. While this has created a semi-stable, small upper- and middle-class, these businesses, as well as their owners appear to be under threat of appropriation by bigger businesses within some of the other communities, which is exacerbating the move of residents to urban slums and expanding the size of their lower-class. The influx of residents, paired with the lack of ability to update infrastructure, has led to the deterioration of their existing infrastructure and a lack of ability to accommodate new residents.
Community H: This rapidly developing urban community is located in a historically-marginalized part of the nation.
Population size = 2,000,000 residents (exact census figures unknown due to some transient and unplanned housing structures, the population is estimated to be growing annually at 4%).
Natural: 2 An increased rate of population in-migration has increased the community’s size and density and is causing negative impacts on the environment. One of the nation’s most significant river systems runs through the city, which is currently highly polluted due to poor water management and a failing water treatment system.
Cultural: 5 The many ethnicities of people migrating to the city have made for a rich diversity of cultures coming together in markets and community gatherings, but this diversity also presents a barrier to broader city cohesion and has strained the community’s basic physical infrastructure and traditional political systems.
Human: 3 The few with a strong formal education are having success and joining the middle and upper classes of the community. The vast majority are not part of this movement and are being priced out of the growing urban area into slums. The poorest residents in this community have migrated from other rural areas in the nation to find opportunities. The school systems are unable to match the demand in student enrollments and cannot adequately pay teachers.
Social: 5 Traditionally this community had high bonding social capital, but increasing in-migration of new residents is straining these bonds. However, there is an increasing number of local, grassroots efforts to connect different groups and ethnicities.
Political: 4 Citizens’ trust in the local government’s ability to provide basic services has waned in recent years. With a significantly growing population base this city’s two national representatives should have a strong influence over the national government located in community A, however, these delegates are significantly poorer, lacking in formal education and marginalized from other national delegates.
Financial: 5 While the vast majority of residents are below national poverty line standards, a local, middle-class of business owners, entrepreneurs, and real estate professionals is emerging within the city, but they have growing competition from large, outside firms based in communities A and C who are also investing in and purchasing urban real estate. The ability for residents to acquire bank loans and engage in broader market opportunities differs sharply by socioeconomic class.
Built: 3 This city has highly overburdened road and water systems which fail at certain times of the year. Schools are being built rapidly but cannot match demand. Slums are growing rapidly as more and more people move closer to the city, especially alongside the river.
