The excerpt “The ‘Patron Saint’ and the ‘Git’r Done Man'” described the beliefs of the proponents behind two different philosophies in urban design. On one hand is Robert Moses who was seen as a leader in shaping New York City through brute strokes of modernism. And on the other hand is Jane Jacobs who vied for diversity and a natural integration of new constructs into the already existing city. In order to go forward in growing the city, we have to first analyze the forces that got us to where we are now.

Having had the largest impact, Robert Moses instantly comes to mind when talking about urban planning. Holding several official city positions he used his influence to make abundant public works, highways, parkways, and bridges. His methods were often Machiavellian however with a focus on the end rather than the means. Hundreds became displaced from their homes all in the name of shaping a New York that would be at the center of the world’s political power. His destructive effect on communities in the way of his urban crawl is clear, but he cannot simply be depicted in a purely negative light. Change is a needed force in a developing city, and Moses molded the city into the modern metropolis that it is today.

Focusing on Jane Jacob, her view on urban planning originally began with just four requirements involving land usage, population density, building age, and block size. She focused on the importance of neighborhoods and was against Moses’ thoughtless destruction of communities. In time, her design philosophy shone through as it developed beyond being four simple tenets. She valued a diverse city with mixed use neighborhoods and varying building ages. Moses built a city that would have a place in the modern world, but Jacobs worked for a city that would have a place for people and their need for human expression.

Truly both schools of thought are needed going forward and the two philosophies go hand in hand. A city can be modern without being monotonous and New York reflects that. Old buildings stand by new and the city’s diverse ethnic hubs are tied together by an extensive transportation system. To thrive the city needs to maintain its balance of urban sprawl and community diversity.

Discussion Question: How much does daily life hinge on a city’s urban planning?