North Potomac is an unincorporated and a census-designated city that was created from the peripherals of Rockville and Gaithersburg. The city is located in Maryland in the United States. North Potomac City has a population of about 24,410, 6,867 families, and 8,040 households according to the 2010 census. Additionally, the census data shows that the city has a population density of about 3,552 people in a unit square mile (US Census, 2010). This paper will characterize various aspects of the city.
Social Spaces
A social space entails any virtual or physical space where people come together and interact. North Potomac city has various social spaces each characterized by some unique features. This city is among the best cities in Maryland with a large number of individuals with masters and doctorate. As such, the occupants of the city are highly motivated to acquire higher education. The demand for education and high intelligence of learners has made the city have top government learning institutions (Living in, 2015). People interact and exchange different type of social experiences in these institutions. Social interactions have promoted a high level of coherence in the community, resulting in high social responsibility. The rate of crime is remarkably low due to a strong sense of togetherness among the community members and families’ socializations. The social spaces are well structured where individuals meet depending on the need. The school-aged individuals interact in schools. The retired people are highly active, and they meet in sophisticated meeting points in the urban areas to discuss social events in the city. Since the city has a large number of educated executives, the online media forms a significant part of the social space (Living in, 2015). The social media is highly active in the city as it has a large population of educated people who cannot meet in physical spaces due to lack of time as they concentrate on education and work. The city has well- developed town squares that form excellent gathering areas. There are classic accommodations in the towns where individuals meet and interact.
Tourist attractions
The tourist attractions in the North Potomac city are characterized by the presence of various factors that promote tourism. The city has excellent accommodation facilities and vacation rentals that host international tourists. Additionally, the city has efficient flights and an excellent transport network to support tourism. Both local and international tourists are attracted by various social and geographical features in the city (Susan, 2016). It has numerous features such as Great Falls and Billy Goat Trail that promote outdoor activities for the tourists. Additionally, the city has attractive parks such as Aberdeen, Big Pines, and Falls Road parks that attract both local and international tourists. The tourist sites are also characterized by wonderful museums like the Glenstone Museum, which contribute significantly to the number of tourists that go to tour the city. Tourists are also entertained by enjoyable games and fun such as Great Canal Boat Ride that most families get interested in. The food offered in various hotels in the city caters serves both local and international tourists (North Potomac, 2016).
Commercial activities
North Potomac has a large number of working and educated people. As such, it forms a good ground for various commercial activities. The presence of high-income earning individuals creates high demand for different commercial product and services. The level of both private and public investment is high in the city. The influx of a large number of tourists promotes the development of catering and accommodation services. Additionally, the individuals engage in a mix of agricultural and fishing activities. Investment in real estate is high as people in different income classes demand housing facilities to settle their families. Private investors also engage in real estate business due to increased demand to house various commercial activities in urban areas (Susan, 2016). The provision of transport services is another business that characterizes commercial activities in the city. North Potomac city has an efficient transport network system, and it is accessible by different means such as road and air transport (Living in, 2015). As such, various investors have taken the opportunity to transport workers, tourists, and products. In general, the commercial activities are characterized by diverse activities such as recreation, shopping, cultural activities, and other business practices that are commercial in nature.
Industrial activities
The industrial area in North Potomac comprises both small and medium-sized industries. This area has a supportive industrial atmosphere with a network of industries that connect to one another in various ways. The level of industrial activities is very high since there is high demand for manufactured products both in the city and outside. Industries engage in mass production lines to meet the varying demand in both the local area and global market. Since the city has a considerably large number of educated individuals, the industrial activities involve numerous employees with diverse professional training. Additionally, there is widespread use of modern technology in the industries because of the availability of trained employees to use sophisticated equipment (US Bureau, n.d). The use of modern technology in the industrial activities increases the efficiency of industries and reduces the time taken to complete projects (Yoon & Lilien, 1988). Thus, the rate of production is high in these industries. Industrial activities are carried out according to the market demand. Since the city has a significant number of high-income earners, the industrial activities produce goods or services based ion clients’ specifications (Living in, 2015). The level of investment in industries is characterized by seasonal instabilities. The investment in the industrial activities varies with seasons, resulting in instabilities in the industrial activities.
Positive aspects
The city of North Potomac has various aspects that can be described as positive. Individuals who visit the city from other countries and the tourists usually talk many positive things concerning the city. The city has a favorable business climate. Many investors are attracted by the high rate of business growth and industrial activities in the city. Individual in this city have a great desire to acquire higher education. As such, a significant percentage of the city’s population have undergraduate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Additionally, the spirit of social responsibility is very high in the city. The residents are mindful of each other and the level of socialization is high (Living in, 2015). Because of the high level of social responsibility, the crime rate is low. This promotes investors’ confidence in the city as well as harmonious life among the community members. Low crime rate is often attributed to good public administration. Thus, the city has efficient public administration system that promotes security. Economic and social sustainability is a desirable aspect of the city that no one would fail to identify. North Potomac has a high rate of social and economic prosperity due to a large number of educated people and individuals with good working culture. The poverty level is low in the city as it has small population and high economic growth rate. A significant population of the residents is employed in various sectors such as industry, tourism, and agriculture. Therefore, each household has at least one source of income.
Negative aspects
The city does not have all positive things. Some aspects of the city cannot be described as desirable, particularly when compared with similar aspects in the neighboring cities and other areas in the United States. One of the negative aspects that characterize the city is the small population. The population of an area determines the market for products in the area. The city has a mall population that makes it to have a limited market for industrial products. Thus, there is a mismatch between the level of industrial production and the market. As a result, the number of opportunities tends to be limited due to lack of a large market. Environmental sustainability is often difficult with a high concentration of industries in a small city. The industrial waste is not properly disposed of, resulting in environmental pollution in the urban areas where most industries are located (Living in, 2015). The city has a limited land size to promote agricultural activities. Since agriculture is a major source of raw materials for industries, the industrial development may be constrained.
Quality of life
The city has a high rate of economic development as characterized by a large number of educated people and expansion of industrial activities. There is immense growth in the use of modern technology in various facets of the economy in the city. The rate of GDP growth and employment rates are high. According to GDP statistics of 2013, the income per capita was $ 58,218 (US Bureau, n.d). This income is high compared to various cities in the United States. Efficient public administration in the city ensures some equality in the distribution of resources. As such, poverty rates are low and the living standards are high. Thus, the quality of life is relatively high compared to cities of similar status in the US.
References
Living in North Potomac, MD-North Potomac Livability Score (2015). Retrieved August 18, 2016 from http://www.areavibes.com/north+potomac-md/livability/
North Potomac Tourism: Best of North Potomac (2016). Retrieved August 17, 2016 from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g41295-North_Potomac_Maryland-Vacations.html
Susan, P. (2016).The North Potomac Times. A community Newspaper for the neighborhoods of North Potomac. Retrieved August 18, 2016 from http://www.northpotomactimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/NPT_August_2016.pdf
US Bureau of Economic Analysis. Retrieved August 18, 2016 from https://fred.stlouisfed.org/source?soid=18
US Census 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2016 from http://www.census.gov/2010census/
Yoon, E., & Lilien, G. L. (1988). Characteristics of the Industrial Distributor's Innovation Activities. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 5(3), 227-240.
