Addams; the other by Jane Jacobs.
Jane Addams (1860-1935) was the author of "Twenty years at Hull House," an account of the social work of Addams and others in a Chicago neighborhood from 1889 to 1909. The book is based on notes and research by Addams. It intersperses first person narratives with research results and political analysis. "Twenty years" describes a social work practice based on making connections across the lives of individuals, families and the community. It was a practice designed to "accommodate individual and community interests under one common framework," writes Cindy St. George (1997). Their idea of social work was rooted in a belief that "all lives are connected to other lives," observed Gisela Konopka (1991).
Jane Jacobs, who in 2006, was the author of "The death and life of
great American cities." Like Addams, Jacob celebrated "lively, diverse, intense cities" in her writing. Also like Addams, she points out the importance of
connecting the physical environment with the social environment in our communities. Too many city planners consider only the physicalenvironment, she observed. The result is the destruction of the social (or human)environment.
In her book, Jacobs chronicled the folly of the massive urban renewal in many
cities during the 1960s. Lively neighborhoods were wiped out in the name of
progress. Worse, those lively communities were often replaced by dead zones of
highways and office buildings.
Why is it that city planners plan in these ways which destroy cities, she asked. Why don't we plan cities for people instead? "If we understand the principles behind the behavior of cities," she wrote, "we can build on potential assets and strengths, instead of acting at cross-purposes to them."
Together, the two Janes provide all the wisdom we need to guide us in building
and maintaining strong, vibrant, diverse families and communities. Their
insights can be applied wherever we live -- whether New York or New
Hampton, IA; Minneapolis or Milbank, SD.
Resources for more reading
Addams, Jane (1910). Twenty years at Hull House. New York: Macmillan.
Jacobs, Jane (1961). The death and life of American cities. New York:
Random House.
Konopka, Gisela (1991). All lives are connected to other lives: The meaning of
social group work. In Theory and practice of group work. New York:
Haworth Press.
St. George, Cindy (1997). Mission of social work revisited. MSW clinical
research paper. St. Paul, MN: School of Social Work, College of St.
Catherine/University of St. Thomas.
Posts
7 comments:
Just as we have talked about in class. Many cities are constructed because of the demands of business and government. Our neighborhoods are divided by income and the wealthy are usually the furthest away from business. I think that this is because they think it allows them prestige. But if we really were to create a perfect neighborhood we would allow the interaction of living environments and businesses together. I know that the reintroduction of lofts are arriving but are they really affordable to most people. No, this is because it is a trendy thing to do. Most cities should look more into affordable housing and having it close to work for those who do not have a car of their own. Interaction of these two components allows true progress.
You may have hit on the central element for city planning in your posting: Creating neighborhoods where people can get around without cars. Imagine a neighborhood where you kept your car in the garage all week because you didn't need it for school, work or shopping. Imagine the reduction in noise and air pollution. Just imagine how much more pleasant the neighborhood would be.
City planning - the whole concept seems overwhelming! Jane Jacobs has the right idea of course...why don't city planners concentrate on the people who inhabit the city? I agree with the above comments also. A great city would be one in which we would need little or no cars. It would be great to have everything mapped out to the convinence of the people. And make it pretty! Less concrete, more grass :) Often times I go to other big cities and all I see is pavement, parking lots, and trash. It makes me feel grateful for living in a city like Sioux Falls. People need to live in cities that inspire them to succeed and thrive.
To establish a city around the needs of the people, making things convenient and beautiful is a good dream.
To bad those in power do not have such simple thoughts!!!
B Kirk
City planning is such a great concept! It's so amazing that such simple ideas were so successful and it makes me kinda sad that we can't seem to keep these dreams and ideas alive!
Leslie S.
It would be awesome if we did create a neighborhood where nothing bad will happen. The government decides whether they want construction done in the cities and most cities are having construction done to them. Now days there are some affordable housing here and there.... Some are to expensive for people to rent or buy.
The idea of creating a neighborhood is awesome.
J. Cavanaugh
I think that it would be a great idea to go by their beliefs. But we can't expect the economy to do the same.
~Kristi S.~
Post a Comment