Historically, urban renewal projects have disproportionately affected underrepresented groups, especially African Americans and immigrants. The purpose of these projects was to clear “slums” and replace them with “improvements” such as civic centers, new businesses, and higher class housing. The greatest controversy in urban renewal is whether or not “white is right.” The issue is if these new projects can be considered of more value than than existing or already demolished settlements, as well as who is benefitting from them.
What outsiders considered slums – tenements and ghettos – were actually rich cultural and social centers that developed over time with the influx of different groups. They only saw inferior living conditions and made plans to demolish and rebuild areas whose purpose was to better suit the community as a collective. However, most of these construction plans were designed for upper class white citizens who wanted a quick disposal of what they considered an eyesore and replace it with something “nicer.” Urban planners did not take the time to recognize that these communities were thriving subcultures. From an insider’s perspective, one would not be able to recognize inferior conditions without anything to compare to. They had religious organizations, local businesses, and a strong bond in between neighbors. Ethnocentric attitudes partitioned along economic class created tensions and resent which lead to a new “white man’s burden.” As cities grew, they had to be cleansed of the worthless slums to make room for growing upper class desires.
Relocation lead to the demise of these communities as they were forced to disperse and start over. After being comparably economically disadvantaged, they were even more so after they had to sell their homes for unfairly low rates and were forced into buying more expensive housing. These communities were broken and to some, starting over was something they could not handle as all they knew was their neighborhood. Some fell into deeper poverty, homelessness, and a general sense of being lost. They grew deep in their resentment because they were powerless in the face of destruction. This caused distrust between the government and its people. A possible remedy proposed in “New York for Sale” was community organizing and activism. However, such efforts are often initiated in the face of relocation and demolition, and by then it may be too late. In order for political action to be effective, it must be a product of an ongoing effort by grassroots movements and the like. Though small victories may be achieved at certain points in time, the looming, more powerful group will continue to attempt to cut and reduce these achievements until they have eroded in the progression of time.
Discusion Question:
How can politically and economically disadvantaged groups compete with upper class interest in urban planning? Is urban planning exclusively an upper class privilege?
