ABSTRACT
Buenos Aires was the capital of Argentina and the largest and economically most significant city of the nation, while Philadelphia was second only to New York City in its political and economic importance. The city was initially unprepared to house or provide services for a large influx of European immigrants. Rapid population growth resulted in substandard housing and the limited availability of piped water, sewage disposal, gas, electricity and medical assistance. Both Philadelphia and Buenos Aires were home to globally recognized tuberculosis research and medical institutions. Philadelphia has colder winters, which require more substantial construction for housing, and families must spend more on warm clothing. Central Buenos Aires, however, retained some wealthy residences as well as tenements. Sightseers to Buenos Aires were unfamiliar with the rapid population growth, the difficulty of finding affordable housing, the poor working conditions in homes and factories, and reform efforts to improve the quality of living.
