The picture is split in the middle in two parts and the impact lives from the juxtaposition of these two parts. The contrast is on one way made by the vertical graphical orientation of the upper part and the horizontal graphical orientation of the lower part. On the other way there is also a "sociological" antagonism between these parts: a business town (maybe also glamour) in BG and a "Tristesse" in FG.
The palm tree, nearly in the third point, works as connection between these two parts and the car, also in third point, adds additional interest and movement (would not like to miss one of them).

The picture looks thoughtful composed and well "developed".

If I would play with words, I could transform "layer" to the sociological term "class" and would interpret this picture as "Underclass beneath the town".

But this might be too many fantasy, and it would be very interesting to read some other interpretations.