Much of our class has focused on the shaping of New York City through housing. With a growing (and changing) population, it remains an important part of urban growth. However, government intervention in the housing sector has long received very mixed results. From being labeled socialist to being frowned upon, there has been no shortage of criticism. With instances such as the one Michael Powell writes about in his article Government Can’t Help? Tell That to the South Bronx, on the other hand, we see that there is hope in positively shaping the lives of many through governmental assistance.
The South Bronx has long been known for its rocky past. Associated with words such as “apocalypse,” “corpse,” “macabre” and “resurrection” throughout Powell’s article, it is clear that the South Bronx was severely hurting in the 1970s. Burnt-out buildings lined streets and “smack dealers” were commonplace. However, much of the comeback the South Bronx has made in recent years, according to Powell, can be attributed to governmental rebuilding initiatives.
The article alludes that it was government involvement that revived the once dismal South Bronx. More than $8 million towards 165,000 apartments and four new schools to educate nearly 2,000 children changed the lives of many in the area. As Powell states, “the Bronx stands as arguably the greatest public rebuilding achievement since World War II.” That is no small feat!
Although I was not witness to the changing atmosphere in the South Bronx, hearing stories such as Celida Pinet’s or Ayala’s and Jesus Rivera’s allow me to better envision the stark contrast of the pre-1970’s South Bronx and the neighborhood today. It is sad to think that there are areas in Memphis, Newark, Atlanta and even Chicago that remain hopeless, despite the potential each area may hold.
Unfortunately, the degrees of success of government plans runs the gamut, ranging from failures such as Pruitt-Igoe to successes such as the South Bronx. This uncertainty leads to questions regarding the true necessity of government involvement. Is it a hit or miss situation? The truth is, housing will always be a necessity, especially in dense areas with growing populations. If the past could be used as a guide, planned urban development could possibly be perfected. With proper planning and long-term goals in mind, the government can truly accomplish a lot — perhaps even lessen the stigma surrounding planned development today.
