Americans Against the City: Anti-Urbanism in the Twentieth Century

Americans Against the City: Anti-Urbanism in the Twentieth Century by Steven Conn

Cities grew large in America as part of the industrial revolution. Dense groups of immigrants lived in substandard conditions in these crime and disease-ridden cities. This was abhorrent to earlier migrants who prized individuality and independence. Reformers attacked cities and their conditions. There was a great deal of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Zoning and code requirements helped clean up the bad conditions, but ended up spreading them out. Suburbs were inspired by small towns. Various movements attempted to create community in car-friendly environment. "Urban renewal" knocked down blocks of urban housing. 

Even cities that did not want to take money for urban renewal could use highway construction money to destroy less-desirable neighborhoods. The federal government paid 90% of the cost of interstate construction. However, states needed to significantly increase the amount they spent on highways to cover their 10%. These highways would bypass small towns, helping to bring chain stores to the periphery and hurting the downtown businesses. In the cities, the roadways would destroy inner-city neighborhoods, and also hurt the urban environment. 

Urban living has had a bit of a revival recently. There is a desire for community. However, there is also a desire for independence. Housing projects were a big failure. Will new approaches work better?