Reading Altshuler’s introduction to his piece to the running theme of mega projects, it is interesting to note there perspective in which he examines the rise of large scale public work’s in America cities. In doing so, he also denotes the difference between American cities and international ones. Moreover, he touches on ground which explains the nature of purely American attitude towards the role of government and the private sector.
America has for some time been titularly the poster boy for capitalistic laizze faire economies. Our Capitalist culture is inherent in not just our economic system, but has manifested itself in socio-cultural theaters as well. Thus the issues of financing public works, and developing expanding cities has very much fit well within this context. Altshula chronicles the history of public financing taking particular notice in the change of attitudes and forms of financing cities undertook. He notes how cities traditionally utilized private for-profit funds to serve their needs. But, he also contrasts this with the rise of mega projects and the way in which they transformed government spending. Mega projects are inherently more difficult to provide financing. Being the large undertakings in which they are, businesses generally shy away from them. WIth the emergence of projects of such a scale in the later twentieth century, government would have to expand its role in financing and taking responsibility for these public works.
Altshuler pinpoints the 1960s and 1970s as a time where government stepped up its public works project and began to undertake the self described “mega projects.” Yet, after the failure and disappointment of many, he also notes the backlash which these mega projects engendered. In addition, he recalls the great harm and catastrophic effects many of these projects had. One of of the projects he must undoubtedly been have been indirectly referring may be the cross-Bronx expressway. The cross-Bronx as many may know, was constructed through several neighborhoods in the south Bronx. Many of these neighborhoods were devastated both cultural and economically due to the large highway’s unattractive presence in the already economically depressed area.
In response to the number of highly disruptive mega projects such as the cross-Bronx expressway, Altshuler notes the backlash these works received. In the 1960s and 1970s large grass roots civil movements began to oppose the monolithic projects. Resistance began to serious hamper several mega projects, and resulted in a shift in tactics by public officials. More attention was paid to limit the resistance that these projects would generate within the public populace. Of course this does not necessarily mean producing projects with a less damaging footprint but rather win the political support and and attempt to lessen their overall visibility with the general public.
As cities grow and prosper, it is almost a certainly they will require some sort of mega project described by Altshuler. Many of these projects afford multitudes of people services, otherwise not available to them. Altshuler takes a specific look of the financing of these projects and the ways in which they come about. In addition, he seems to take a particular notice at the political forces which are at play during the development of these so called mega projects.
