Let the People Speak

In order to promote social and economic vitality in cities, we must first understand how cities work in reality; however, reality is not always appealing. Instead of delving into the truth of how the city actually works, planners and designers have opted for an easy fix to a glamourous outer impression by utilizing a “theory” of what cities should be. Designers have cast aside reality and devoted their time studying what ought to be good for the people instead of listening to their wants or needs. ­

             The people who live in the city need to be heard as they are the only ones who understand what the city needs. The best way for us as designers to make a positive impact is to look closely at the people and events which happen within the city limits and strive to see the clues they give us, such as in Jane Jacob’s writings. She describes the North End neighborhood as “the healthiest place in the city.” To the designer’s expert eyes, the North End was still considered a slum that needed rebuilding because it did not fall into the category of what studies suggest are good neighborhoods. However, in reality it was thriving with mix-use buildings, local businesses, and happy residents who rehabilitated the area themselves through the principle of mutual support, both economically and socially.  

This type of grassroots movement is the only way to make positive changes within the city that would benefit the locals. By giving residents a voice and generating change at the local level, a close-grained working relationship within the community is created. This allows residents to take back control of their neighborhoods from those higher up within the power structure who usually dictate how the city should be run.