Grogan, Paul (2000). Can the Cities
Come Back? Journal of Housing &
Community
Development, 57(6), 19.
The article I
reviewed was by Paul Grogan the Vice President of Government,
Community and Public Affairs of Harvard University in Cambridge Massachusetts.
Grogan discussed the current conditions of urban communities specifically
cities. He placed a lot of focus on eliminating poverty throughout the article.
He begins by highlighting the negative aspects of the city that has became the
norm being “poverty, racial
isolation, and a gap between urban haves and urban have-nots” which I believe
gentrification contributes to. Grogan also mentions the issues of “industrial
obsolescence, physical rot, riots, crime, poverty, and the serial failure of
big federal rescue missions” as the cause of the downfall of cities. In
response to the issue of poverty in these areas he discusses the current
attitudes about poverty and urban communities. Perspectives he discussed had
similar attitudes of the community, he stated how metropolitans dismiss
reviving urban communities because they feel there are too many obstacles and
it is easier to ignore them. On the other side of the issue those that are in
poverty feel it is irreversible due to factors they are unable to control.
Although at times I did not like
the tone of this article, I can agree with the issue Grogan is addressing and
the issues he highlighted specifically poverty, crime, and racial isolation.
Many if not all of the issues going on in urban communities I can identify in
my community. From my own observation in the JVL community and from talking to
residents many just see the community as it is and do not foresee any change
for the better. Although the mentality of hopelessness bothers me, outsiders of
the community have to understand that people often know best only from what
they experience and if their experiences are negative its hard to change that.
Grogan highlights four treads
that will constitute recovery at the end to give hope to this issue.
1.
A revitalization movement in
America
·
His big point of this tread was
as he said to “nurse old wounds” meaning to build on what is there and build
productive partnerships
2.
The rebirth of functioning
private markets
·
The point being to create more
jobs and commerce to cities
3. Dropping crime
·
Resulting to rebuilding
confidence and commerce
4.
The release of the inner-city
life from bureaucracies
· Particularly
he mentioned the welfare system, public housing authorities and public schools
The treads I can take away from the
most from this article is the idea of “nursing old wounds” and dropping crime.
These two treads have been ideas I have thought about in regards to the JVL
community and as we have read from others it is important to involve the
community and work with them. The tread of dropping crime is always something
to strive for, but I believe understanding of all the factors that contribute
to the crime is the source of the issue and is where to begin in addressing it.
In closing I want to pose these
questions for thoughts and discussion.
How does gentrification affect the
community?
What do you believe are the source(s)
of communities with high crime rates? What are the ways to decrease crime in
these communities?
Do urban communities have hope to be
revitalized?
I believe old, but renovated, beautiful architectural structures create historical pride for communities. Unfortunately, the cost is very high and often impractical in communities with a poor economic base. Poverty increases crime and crime increases poverty due to flight from businesses and people. There will always be people within a society who need safe places with low housing costs, which should be synonymous with safety, neighbors helping neighbors, and good schools. There are solutions, but the work ahead is enormous and will require strength building with gradual changes within each person's inner belief system. It is hard to fight when one is already fighting, often alone, to survive.
ReplyDeleteCheri