> John Fields wrote: > On Thu, 18 May 2006 16:34:18 -0500, you wrote: > > >OrionWorks wrote: > > > >> > >> Jed's thoughts on this matter brings to mind something I've > >> been pondered on and off in my life for years, a concept > >> called "Emergence." Theories of Emergent behavior help > >> explain why dilapidated Mom-and-Pop retail stores thrive. > >> It helps explain why certain run-down neighborhoods in our > >> cities deserve to stay pretty much intact the way they are, > >> as compared to being torn down and replaced with another > >> ill thought out housing project, and with disastrous > >>consequences. > > > >I hope you don't mean such neighborhoods deserve to be left run-down. > > > >Personally, I think cities should actively develop mixed income > >neighborhoods. There is no reason why poor and rich can't live in the same > >neighbourhoods. > > --- > Sure there is. The rich wouldn't do it. > -- > John Fields
Just to be clear on this point, due to bad editing there are now follow-up statements being attributed to me that I never personally made. I have, in fact, made no follow-ups, until now. I'll only say here that Jed's recent comments and personal experiences of having lived in Japan in a seemingly run-down neighborhood accurately reflect what Steven Johnson's book on "Emergence" had to say on the subject. Emergent behavior helps explain the reasons why we should tread very carefully when the subject of "improving" a neighborhood comes up in city planning. There have been disastrous results, all in the name of "improving" seemingly dilapidated run-down neighborhoods. The soul of the neighborhood can be killed, and any reason to live there. Regards, Steven Vincent Johnson www.OrionWorks.com www.Zazzle.com/orionworks
