The excerpts,”Jacob vs. Moses, The Patron Saint, and the Git’r Done Man,” from Scott Larson’s Building like Moses with Jacobs in Mind provided an interesting read. Larson explains and displays how Robert Moses and Jane Jacobs clashed in their ideas for urban planning. Robert Moses is described as the “single minded” man who wanted to shape New York with respect to the region and the world. He wanted to make sure that New York was rid of its infected neighborhoods and then rebuilt in glory on a global scale. Jane Jacobs on the other hand was the opposite. She was analytical and wanted to strengthen neighborhoods through her four principles of urban design: varied building ages, short blocks, density of population, and mixed land use.

While looking at the two sides of urban planning, the differences between them are clear as day and night.

Moses focused on the Macro of New York. Moses wanted New York to be extravagant and a force to be reckoned with. With his power in official city positions, bridges, parks, highways, and much more public spaces were built to basically put New York City on the map of the world. He didn’t seem to care too much for the Micro of New York as long as he felt that the future of New York looked strong.

Jacobs on the other hand looked upon the Micro of New York. She wanted to keep the neighborhoods and strengthen its core: the people. Jacobs aimed to allow people to make their own decisions, to protect their areas. She wanted to keep the essence of a neighborhood.

Were their methods effective?
Looking at the present, in the Macro sense, Moses’ idea about modern planning on public spaces have made New York a known name all around the world. At the same time, Jacob’s ideas of her style of urban planning still remains with its diverse neighborhoods and buildings throughout the city. By continuing to take parts from Moses’ and parts from Jacobs, then New York can continue to expand in both a Macro and Micro way.

Discussion Question: Is it possible to fulfill the needs of New York City in both a Macro and Micro sense considering the fact that gentrification might be affecting the Micro of New York City?