In 'The Unfinished Metropolis', Benjamin Schneider examines why American cities have stopped evolving. The book argues that today's built environment has not significantly changed since the 1970s, leading to a host of modern problems.
Stagnant Urban Development
American cities once constantly evolved, experimenting with new designs and ambitious infrastructure projects like railroads, subways, public housing, and shopping malls. However, Schneider points out that we now keep pursuing the same 20th-century urban development plans, resulting in a stagnant landscape.
Consequences of Stagnation
This pattern has far-reaching effects. It explains why Americans are so dependent on cars, why housing has become unaffordable, and why homelessness has reached crisis levels. Additionally, downtown areas are struggling, and communities are fraying as a result of outdated urban policies.
Schneider's work offers a critical look at the need for a new vision in American urban planning to address these pressing issues.
