Scan barcode
drillvoice's review against another edition
3.0
A good look at gentrification and particularly the power of real estate and how it infiltrates planning decisions. At times though it seems to lack rigour, and I want very clear on what the solution would look like.
csfrj_'s review against another edition
4.0
I appreciate Sam Stein’s book immensely. His activist and unapologetic voice is refreshing. The mix of theory and reality was a good equilibrium. Although for someone who has not read much about urban planning some important theories and concepts are quickly explained in two or three sentences.
Overall this is a great must read for anyone interested in urban planning but I feel that anyone working to change society in a positive way would benefit from reading it.
Finally, I with Sam spent more time in the solution and conclusion portion of the book. Maybe it could be a sequel!
Ps: I didn’t count it through but it would be interesting to see how many women vs men were quotes and referenced. I had the distinct impression that the balance was a little bit off.
Thank you for putting this book out in the world!
Overall this is a great must read for anyone interested in urban planning but I feel that anyone working to change society in a positive way would benefit from reading it.
Finally, I with Sam spent more time in the solution and conclusion portion of the book. Maybe it could be a sequel!
Ps: I didn’t count it through but it would be interesting to see how many women vs men were quotes and referenced. I had the distinct impression that the balance was a little bit off.
Thank you for putting this book out in the world!
skylar2's review against another edition
medium-paced
1.75
While the author clearly has good intentions, much of the book is mere speculation backed up by anecdotes. He also gets bogged down in rambling stories: as fascinating as the Trump family's real estate dealings are, by the author's own admission they're a small part of the real estate market, yet somehow deserved an entire chapter in this book.
Even worse, he manages to mention one of the largest drivers of real estate costs --- parking and parking requirements --- only a handful of times, and never in a way to address it head-on. He also thinks increasing the difficulty of building housing will somehow solve our affordable housing shortage, while at the same time acknowledging that overbuilding luxury housing is driving down the price of high-end homes!
I'd be more than willing to believe this author's thesis if there were data to support it, but they're just not there.
Even worse, he manages to mention one of the largest drivers of real estate costs --- parking and parking requirements --- only a handful of times, and never in a way to address it head-on. He also thinks increasing the difficulty of building housing will somehow solve our affordable housing shortage, while at the same time acknowledging that overbuilding luxury housing is driving down the price of high-end homes!
I'd be more than willing to believe this author's thesis if there were data to support it, but they're just not there.
wulfus's review against another edition
2.0
This is the second book I've read in a series collaboration between Jacobin and Verso, and I think I'm starting to put together why these aren't working for me. There's a lack of good argumentation that really bugs me. Ostensibly, I should agree with some of the conclusions that Stein comes to, but both this and Four Futures are too concerned with rhetoric and anti-capitalist grandstanding, that it feels like the same points get made over and over (gentrification bad, people over profit, etc.) that any depth that could be added falls to wayside. These series feel like tweet-threads put to print and that's unfortunate.
danicapage's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
This is very NY centric at times, so if you want a book taking a broader look, this is not that. It’s not the most engaging page Turner, but it is well researched and explains gentrification very well. Other reviewers who have more expertise have done a brilliant job dissecting this one, but I enjoyed it. I thought it was informative and helpful.
For those wanting to learn more about urbanism and city planning or gentrification, this is a good one.
I listened on audio.
For those wanting to learn more about urbanism and city planning or gentrification, this is a good one.
I listened on audio.
colettieb's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really good! Thought it did a better job with history and analysis than with policy prescriptions (those were super vague), despite the claim in the first chapter that ‘this is a book to be used’. Still, would recommend to anyone, rural or suburban or urban or town dwelling because it helps explain the forces that shape our surroundings.