CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College Neighborhood Discussion

First, please close your eyes, and envision the following: (New York)

– i want you to imagine you are taking a subway ride to a neighborhood you have never been to.

– You get off at the stop and walk up the stairs and out into the street.

– Tell me 3 things that you see in this neighborhood that makes you think, “wow this neighborhood is really nice!” (What is around you, what do you see that makes you think this is a “good” neighborhood?)

– Explain why these are aspects that you attribute to “good” neighborhoods.

– Now imagine the opposite: Tell me 3 things that you see in this neighborhood that would make you think, “wow this neighborhood is really bad!” (What is around you, what do you see that makes you think this is a “bad” neighborhood?)

Explain why these are aspects that you attribute to “bad” neighborhoods.

Also, please watch the documentary, “New York: A Documnentary Film,” Episode 7. Here is a link to the movie, which you can also find on YouTube. You do not have to watch the entire episode – begin at point 29:47. You can stop watching when you get to point 1:43:40. This documentary will be the subject of next week’s Discussion Board post, so please be sure to watch it, as the subject matter is foundational to this course!

Please be sure to respond to at least *two* other student posts.

JOHN- I believe a good neighborhood would be clean areas for people to enjoy the view. Another would be zero to no crimes as it shows how safe that neighborhood is. Lastly, clean supermarkets are suitable for the district providing food for the people. What makes a setting terrible would be the crime rates, areas of the community which are not clean, and the use of drugs in the area. Most of these things can be challenging for most people, tiny children, as they look up to people as role models in life to move forward.

ENDRIKA- The tranquility, comfort, and security of your home are essential aspects of good living. The first thing I see is a clean neighborhood, a family-friendly neighborhood with lots of businesses around with friendly people with clean and well-kept parks for the kids to enjoy. I feel that a neighborhood that is clean and organized tends to be a good neighborhood organization is key. The family atmosphere in a neighborhood is always good. Location is very important as this greatly influences whether the neighborhood is safe or not and safety is one of the most important things when looking for a neighborhood. I consider a bad neighborhood when there is crime, when there is a low level of sanitation, and when there is a lot of poverty. Unfortunately, poverty greatly influences young people to delinquency and when there is no security it can be a dangerous environment for the family. A neighborhood that is exposed to crimes is a dangerous neighborhood no one would want to live in an unsafe neighborhood.

Question 2

Class, please watch the documentary film, “New York, A Dcoumentary Film,” Episode 7, and provide responses to the following questions:

(You can find this documentary on You tube. Please begin at point 29:47. You can stop watching when you get to point 1:43:40.)

1. What person was most influential in the design and built environment of New York City?
2. What Federal Program was created to help cities rebuild?
3. How was this program taken advantage of by urban planners and how did this impact the city’s poor?
4. What was the effect of the program on NYC neighborhoods?
5. What technology/invention was predominant in the minds of the urban planners?
6. What other federal program led to the creation of the suburbs and impacted New York City greatly
7. How was this program taken advantage of by urban planners and how did this impact the city’s poor?
8. What urban project is infamous for the destruction of dozens of neighborhoods and the displacement of thousands of residents in the Bronx?
9. Who took up a fight against the continued destruction of NYC neighborhoods?
10. What is the relationship between urban planning and the destruction of neighborhoods?

Question 3

Class, please read this Tweet and thread. Please give me your thoughts. Do you find similar conditions in your area?