But look what we have built with the first several billions: Low income projects that become worse centers for delinquency, vandalism and general social helplessness than the slums they were supposed to replace. Middle-income housing projects which are truly marvels of dulness and regimentation, sealed against any buoyancy or vitality of city life. Luxury housing projects that mitigate their inanity, or try to, with a vapid vulgarity. Cultural centers that are avoided by everyone but bums, who have fewer choices of loitering place than others. Commercial centers that are lackluster imitations of standardized suburban chain-store shopping. Promenades that go from no place to nowhere and have no promenaders. Expressways that eviscerate great cities. This is not the rebuilding of cities. This is the sacking of cities. -Jane Jacobs
7 comments:
now i want to read this...
great sketch Rob...and i couldn't agree more whole'heartedly.
good grief your stuff is fantastic!
I wish i had thought to email you while i was in NY.
It was my first time in the city, It would have been nice to connect over coffee or something.
A very good sketch for your frontspiece.
Jane Jacobs puts it well. How is life in New York right now?
Nicely done indeed.
hey rob! Thanks for the kind words, and thank you for such a lovely sketch of NY (my favorite corner no less) to remind me of home! (I'm out in LA til June) I can't wait to see how you fill the book.
Christian Robinson:
Wow that's a nice gesture. Next time:)
the doodlers:
NYC is rapidly turning into a gated community.
Thanks everybody.
Post a Comment