Sharon Zukin is concerned with preserving the esthetic and historical beauty authenticity and diversity of New York City neighborhoods, but her city planning ideas seem to me an impractical solution within the context of American values, politics and social conditions. She suggests that city planners focus on helping sustain not only the physical shape of New York City – the buildings and streets, as Jane Jacobs pointed out, but also the people – making sure the communities retain their spaces. Even though the “natives” (longstanding residents) have time-tested ties to their neighborhoods, however, it seems to me that the urban upper-middle class will continue to expand regardless, especially in the global economic hub that is New York City. Even if Zukin’s addendum to Jacobs’s planning ideas were to be employed efficiently by city officials, it would lead to increased segregation between the conflicting classes and isolation of the communities. The upper-middle class would be highly concentrated in neighborhoods A and B, while the old ethnic communities stay in C and D. As the populations of A and B expand, however, they will need more space to settle, especially due to their small person per household ratio. There is nothing that can be done to contain the pioneers of gentrification – the hipsters brave enough to inhabit the not-yet-gentrified communities. In search on authenticity and cheaper living, the pioneers will come until they represent a significant enough minority to necessitate the businesses that cater to them. I believe that, even though Zukin’s idea of the city placing restrictions of certain kinds of businesses that all cater to a certain class from opening in certain neighborhoods would be an effective solution, it is simply implausible, as it is absolutely incompatible with American libertarian ideals. The commandments of American capitalism will vehemently defend these businesses’ right to prosperity. What Zukin suggests may be possible in a socialist state, but I’m afraid that in the United States it is completely impossible today and in the foreseeable future.
Simon Plutser-Sarno
