The assignment
The first thing I want you to do before you post your discussion forum response is to pause and read the first few paragraphs of Jacobs' book again. This book is a call to arms. It's a brave and honest reproach to all the urban planners whose ideas are taught in universities, who have books written about them, and whose ideas have been implemented by our cities' urban planning departments. For the first question, tell us what these opening statements say to you, how do you feel about the language, the way she writes? How is she trying to connect with her reader?
In order to understand what Jacobs was arguing against, it helps to understand a little about the type of "slum clearance" initiatives were taking place in cities across the country in the post-WWII period. Do some Internet research, watch the film clip I assigned from New York: A Documentary Film, and find out what Robert Moses' approach to urban planning was at this time--i.e. clearing away old urban fabric and replacing it with highways and housing projects. What is slum clearance? What was the Housing Act of 1949? Most important, what were the impacts of these planning policies/approaches on the city and the people who lived in them, particularly if you were lower or middle income?
Finally, Jacobs lays out a number of suggestions for what creates dynamic neighborhoods and neighborhoods that have intricate mutual support for the people and businesses that are located there. What are some of these criteria (ch. 7)? Pick 2-3 and explain them.
The assignment
The first thing I want you to do before you post your discussion forum response is to pause and read the first few paragraphs of Jacobs' book again. This book is a call to arms. It's a brave and honest reproach to all the urban planners whose ideas are taught in universities, who have books written about them, and whose ideas have been implemented by our cities' urban planning departments. For the first question, tell us what these opening statements say to you, how do you feel about the language, the way she writes? How is she trying to connect with her reader?
In order to understand what Jacobs was arguing against, it helps to understand a little about the type of "slum clearance" initiatives were taking place in cities across the country in the post-WWII period. Do some Internet research, watch the film clip I assigned from New York: A Documentary Film, and find out what Robert Moses' approach to urban planning was at this time--i.e. clearing away old urban fabric and replacing it with highways and housing projects. What is slum clearance? What was the Housing Act of 1949? Most important, what were the impacts of these planning policies/approaches on the city and the people who lived in them, particularly if you were lower or middle income?
Finally, Jacobs lays out a number of suggestions for what creates dynamic neighborhoods and neighborhoods that have intricate mutual support for the people and businesses that are located there. What are some of these criteria (ch. 7)? Pick 2-3 and explain them.
Watch these film clips about Jane Jacobs reading of successful urban spaces below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fhE9NWSbmw
Text Book: The Death and Life of Great American Cities. by Jane Jacobs.