The Death and Life of Great American Cities - Chapters 11 and 12

In chapters 11 and 12 Jacobs discusses the gains of having high density communities. Combining the principles of high density and diversity all your or at least most of your needs within a close proximity. This diminishes the need for cars which in turn decreases the need for parking. You can then condense things further. On the other hand if you spread things out people will need to drive and then parking lots become a necessity. These parking lots then spread things out further. This is one of the problems of suburbs. Everyone uses cars so readily that it becomes more convenient to got o a supermarket that has everything you could possibly need even though it is farther away.

My House - Built Pre-1950

Although, the house I live in now is the only place I have ever called home, my house cannot say the same about me. There were many people who lived in this house before I arrived. My house was built in the early 1900’s and my family moved in a few months before I was born in the summer of 1987. Over the years this house has taken a few beatings and lived to tell the tale. There was a fire, a flood and it seems like countless leaks. Windows have broken, ceilings caved in and holes in the walls. The house has witnessed many good times as well. There have been birthdays, graduations and weddings to celebrate. Most importantly my house has always been there for me as a place of refuge. When times were bad I knew I could always come home to feel safe.

My house is definitely not the same as when it was originally built. Over the years there have been various forms of construction and remodeling. Rooms have been totally redone while others have been added on. Although my house has gone through these transformations it still contains the squeaky floors of an old house.

Lawrence, NY Demographics

1. “Lawrence, NY” E Podunk, The Power of Place. 19 February 2008

On this site you can find some of the common demographics of Lawrence, NY. Included on this site is the population, income, housing, education level, marital status, crime rates and much more. All this data can be found in links lower down on this page.

2. “Lawrence, NY” City-Data.com. 22 February 2008
<http://www.city-data.com/city/Lawrence-New-York.html>

On this site you can find some demographics of Lawrence and how they compare to the rest of New York. The average age, household income, house value and population are just some of the things you’ll find on this site.

Interview Questions

1. What is your name?
2. How long have you lived in the neighborhood?
3. What was the neighborhood like when you moved in?
4. How has it changed?
5. What are some new businesses in the area?
6. Have you seen a change in the economic status of the people in the neighborhood?
7. Are there a lot of children in this neighborhood?
8. Do you think this is a suitable neighborhood for raising a family?
9. What nationalities live in the area?
10. What type of people does this neighborhood attract?

The Death and Life of Great American Cities - Chapter 9

In chapter nine Jacobs argues that smaller blocks make for a better neighborhood. She says that shorter blocks give pedestrians the opportunity to turn corners more often. This will not only make things more convenient for pedestrians but it will give businesses the opportunity to be more successful. People can take multiple routes to there destination finding more places to complete their business. On these alternate routes people will also meet others that they would not have met if they were taking the same route all the time. The smaller blocks help to bring the neighborhood together. On long blocks people don’t really know what’s on the blocks adjacent to them but with shorter blocks you can easily find out and use that to your advantage and the advantage of the community as a whole.

The Death and Life of Great American Cities - Chapters 7 and 8

In chapters seven and eight, Jacobs describes the importance of having all kinds of diversity in your city. She explains that you need diversity in commerce. There should be many types of businesses. Diversity in business will lead to diversity in different areas of life in the city. She also says that businesses should serve more then one purpose. In this way they can expand their clientele and hours of business. She brings an example of down town New York. Because there is mostly office building there, the restaurants are only open during the day. Then there is no draw for people to come there at night. It is a one dimensional neighborhood and can’t function well. There needs to be diversity in neighborhoods and cities to succeed.

The Death and Life of Great American Cities - Chapter 3

In chapter three Jacobs outlines what she believes need to be present in a city neighborhood in order for the social network to work properly. She states that there needs to be public shops, stores, restaurants and cafés for people to meet in public setting. The purpose of these public locations is for people to have conversation with others without letting that person in on their personal lives. Without these places, Jacobs explains, people would have to choose between inviting people into their homes in order to hang out with them or not have much contact with them at all. People will start to choose their friends very hesitantly and their social network will shrink. Hey will only befriend people very similar to themselves and this will cause all groups to be separated from one another and greatly increase the probability of discrimination. On the other hand if stores are available you there would not be an all or nothing type of attitude when it can to relationships with others. You could have a casual relationship with many people of all different walks of life.