Sociology project summary - Essay Example

It underscores the distinction between progress without environmental degradation and modernization with damaging pollutants (315795_Cities+Week+3.ppt). The Rocks stirs the imagination of the locals as well as the tourist. It takes back one to the rugged and craggy landscape of ancient Australia, to the more somber period of the settlers consisting mostly of convicts, and finally to the marvels of the modern city (Australian Explorer). In order to find out more about The Rocks, its past and current affairs, my team and I thought it fit to make a questionnaire and move around the place meeting people and talking to them with the help of the questionnaire.

We decided to move in different direction of the city in twos. There was some apprehension as we had not undertaken this type of work earlier, but we were excited about it. However, when we launched on this project, it was a rewarding exercise. We not only received substantial information, but we also made many friends. The Rocks stretches from the harbor in the north to Kent Street in the west and Grosvenor Street in the south.The hustle and bustle of the city has not eroded the pristine glory of the place that has seen an evolution that would not have been possible elsewhere.

On the contrary, the city administrators have gone the extra mile to preserve the historical significance of the place by preserving the old district and building a museum. The Sydney Harbor Bridge is a wonderful link between the old and the new in Sydney. The bridge lies adjacent to The Rocks and it is not difficult to imagine what the place would have been like without the city (Some Background).Tourist attraction for Sydney began in a big way in the 1970s. The city metamorphosed from being a culprits den in the beginning to more sedate business center in the 19th century.

It more or less remained this way for most of the first half of the 20th century when the world was ravaged by two world wars. The city became modernized in the second half of the 20th century.Beneath the benign and charm of The Rocks lies the saga of one of history's more malevolent periods in the place when murders, hangings and mysterious deaths were routine. The Rocks was the haunts of convicts and prostitutes initially after Captain Phillip discovered the region. It continued in this manner for about three to five decades.

Gradually, it turned into a business center and warehouses were constructed for the maritime industry. These warehouses were later destroyed due to the plague. Some that remained were turned into cafs and restaurants. The city planners have been careful to preserve the old city with its narrow, cobbled streets leaving the old buildings to serve as pubs, restaurants and other places of public interest (Australian Explorer).The Role of IndependenceThe independence of Australia on 11 December 1931 has obviously played a vital role in the construction of Sydney and The Rocks.

Not that the nation needed independence. It was thrust on them by the British. That is, the Australians always considered themselves independent from the time