Book Review: Downtown, INC
Downtown, INC. written by Bernard J Frieden and Lynne Sagalyn, professors of Urban Study at MIT was published in 1992 and covers close to 50 years of urban transition through looking at the changes that have occurred to the American city. Through analyzing realized urban projects in a case study method in multiple cities through out the US, and basing these findings in imperial evidence, official reports and interviews, this book a offers a far more scientific approach relative to other urban theory literature. While undoubtedly the authors have a certain personal perspectives and agendas (as all authors do) in my belief Frieden and Sagalyn have make a strong attempt to draw factual conclusions about the way in which the process from numerous movements in urban renewal have attempted to keep the project of the American city intact from sprawl and have shaped its condition today.
While some of the information they offer may not be revolutionary by any means to people who are already familiar with the process of ‘slum clearing’ for interstate highways, and the numerous large scale urban renewal projects of the 1950′s, 60′s and 70′s; the explanation of how this story related to the process and changes that were occurring in suburban development during this time I found quite enlightening. Additionally the book offers an interesting perspective by analyzing some of the projects that were actually successful during this time in achieving active public spaces, and how these projects contrasted to the others which had failed to achieve this.
I ended up purchasing this book in Portland, and since that time have been trying to visit the projects they referenced in the book when possible. Through doing this, one thing that was made clear to me, is that it is definitely time for these authors to produce an updated edition. As much changed about the American city from 1930′s t0 1992, a significant amount has changed in the last 20 years as well. As a means to help fill this void, I am hoping my recent purchase on Portland’s urban planning will help shed some light on more recent urban planning and the effects this has produced.
In the mean time I highly recommend this book to any architect, developer, urban designer, urban planner, landscape architect, community developer or anyone who is planning on affecting the urban condition in any way shape or form. So that we can learn from some of the well intentioned (and at times very well intentioned) but flawed thinking of the past and will not have to tragically repeat these mistakes which carry great social and environmental consequences.
