Desert Cities: The Environmental History of Phoenix and Tucson

History of the Urban Environment

by Michael F. Logan

Phoenix is known as the “Valley of the Sun,” while Tucson is referred to as “The Old Pueblo.” These nicknames epitomize the difference in the public’s perception of each city. Phoenix continues to sprawl as one of America’s largest and fastest-growing cities. Tucson has witnessed a slower rate of growth, and has only one quarter of Phoenix’s population. This was not always the case. Prior to 1920, Tucson had a larger population. How did two cities, with such close physical proximity and similar natural environments develop so differently? Desert Cities examines the environmental circumstances that led to the starkly divergent growth of these two cities. Michael Logan traces this significant imbalance to two main water resources and cultural differences. Both cities began as agricultural communities. Phoenix had the advantage of a larger water supply, the Salt River, which has four and one half times the volume of Tucson’s Santa Cruz River. Because Phoenix had a larger river, it received federal assistance in the early twentieth century for the Salt River project, which provided water storage facilities. Tucson received no federal aid. Moreover, a significant cultural difference existed. Tucson, though it became a U.S. possession in 1853, always had a sizable Hispanic population. Phoenix was settled in the 1870s by Anglo pioneers who brought their visions of landscape development and commerce with them. By examining the factors of watershed, culture, ethnicity, terrain, political favoritism, economic development, and history, Desert Cities offers a comprehensive evaluation that illuminates the causes of growth disparity in two major southwestern cities and provides a model for the study of bi-city resource competition.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2006

Reviews

[Mathew Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not the deepest analysis I've ever seen, but the point is well made regarding the two towns, notably the idea of dams and topography as a means to Phoenix's rise. Dams mean electricity and water. Water means agriculture, golfing and land speculation. Electricity means A/C, food storage, and more. Throw in consumption and economics and you have a great argument of humanity's choices regarding an area affecting the landscape, urban and rural. As well, the understanding of "aesthetic" desert playgrounds -- a form of consumption, not conservation or natural landscapes -- that play into how Phoenix ends up over Tucson as the "winner" is well argued and defended. All in all, it's an easy read and the scholarship is really good.

A little more on the ethnic argument would have been nice, however,since it was one half of the thesis -- seemed to get far less time than the other 50% of his thesis. That would be my strongest objection.

I would have given this 3.5 stars, if that were an option. But, I guess 3.5 rounds to 4, so I'll go with it :)

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a nice quick overview. I would have liked a more in depth study of the two communities. Good quick overview.