That is from Sam Bass Warner Jr. in his book Streetcar Suburbs. It is a specific comment on the organically developed Boston suburbs of Dorchester and Roxbury, but I cannot help but interpret it as an indictment of most American suburbs. Warner constantly stresses that the form of the Boston suburbs was not planned, but was a consequence of many small developers making similar decisions. "Regulation without laws" is his memorable phrase.
More on this later, but I'm feeling skeptical about this. To place the blame for the ailments of modern community on the layout of streets and property feels like a bit of a stretch.
David, would you identify the image for us please? It looks a bit like one of your collages, except it's busier than you normally create them, and you generally use color. An early work? Or another artist?
ReplyDelete