175711 v A ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~7 Niiineolr o@1 T HE UR BARN A AGE Mati 1996 A C E L E B R A T I 0 N O F C 1 T Y L I F E Cities Today: A New Frontier IN THIS ISSUE bY Saskia Saasen anid Siigta Patel I Cities Today: A New Frontier by Saskia Sassen and Sujata Patel _ - J BOMBAY. As the 20th century draws to a processes. activities, and infrastructures close, there is a debate about the future of cities that are crucial for tile process of 4 Innovative Programs for the that has two facets. globalization. Urban Poor in Cali, Colombia First, developments in the telecommunica- Wlhen telecommunications developed by Rodrigo Guerrero tions atid information industries have facilitated in a big way in the advanced countries 5 Planning for Culture-The massive dispersals ofeconomic activity and led of the worId in the 1980s.an unexpected SpecialFutureofSuchitotoby analysts and politicians in highly industrialized strengthening of the role of the city Jann Darsie countries to declare that cities are dead. Cities, occurred. It is the simultaneous combi- they say, are now finished as economic entities. nation of the global dispersal of co- 6 The Spirt of Miami by Second. the rise of the megacity, especially nomic activities and of global integra- Margaret Bergen in Asia and Latin America, has led many tion that has given major cities a 9 Cultural Tourism in __. observers in developing countries to see cities strategic role and transfomied them into Eastern Europe and gussia as places where social problems are concen- global cities. by Charles Landry trated, and wvhich are unmanageable and un- productive, Furthermore, predictions of Globalization requires 10 The Nev American Ghetto: 7 *,",~* continued population growth in cities like centralization Jose Vergara Mexico City and Calcitta, both of which will have about 20) million inhabitants in the next What happened thicn to the predicted 12 Urban Tales: The Hakawatis- century, contribute to this pessimistic view. The demise of cities as important economic Popular Story-Tellers in Syria megacity of the developing world conveys to units? One explanation is that both by MzarAhdullah these observers an image ofmillions ofpeople national and global markets. as well as 13 Carnival: The Ultimate City wasting their lives, unemployed and without globally integrated operations, need Celebration by Ian Isidore any prospects of change in the future. central places where globalization work Smart Both these views are exaggerated. And when is done. Information industries by their we look at the global city aiid thse negacitv very nature require a huge infrastructure 16 Cities in Films by Alcira more closely. they provide us with a more with strategic nodes or centers of Kreimer r * I complex idea of the way cities are developing operations, and a coicentration of today. facilities. New forms ofmanagememi IEPRRAMENTS 9l ll Sand of operations controls have thus The global economy and cities become centralized. When examined more closely. the 2 Letters to the Editor The idea of a global economy is now deeply global economy demonstrates just how 7 City Quiz Test Your Urban entrenched in political circles and in the media important cities are and how crucial Knowledge by Richard Sheehey throughout the world. Yct the dominant images having a broad range of workers is for of such a notion-the information revolition, such an economy. Even the most B Featured Columnist the neutralization of distance through advanced information industries need an The Ternpestous Birth of the New s - ~~~~telematics, the instantaneous transmiission of aglomeration of different buildings anid Asian City by Deyan SuhjiC tmoney around the world are only part of the different types of employees. For 15 Bulletin Board Celebrating transformation process. As such. they are example, secretaries and blue-collar Urban Life: Searching for a TRUCKS I l profoundly inadequate as images of what workers are essential to the interna- Livable City by Diego Carrion MAX IlMUM, globalization and the growth of information tional financial industry: sos 16 Newsline The Second tnter- cconomics really mean for cities. What is truckers--and the trucks they American Conference of Mayors 5u 3G; lacking in this abstract model is the drive- for delivering the by Margaret Bergen understanding of the actual material coriinuecili* paige B 17 From the City Manager's Desk .9. IX9 i t7S' X 19The Urban Calendar * Sj Tird&t,,,,flA4i,fl~, nGni,ipnii4 WelV welcome your comnments, thoughts, and szuggestions about The Urban Age. jIEns1 E Fannie Mae Otfica of Editor: form of extemal intervention that offers the Rerch _ The article that appeared in the Urban District immediate hope of a competent and in Washington, D.C., was certainly very One should view this board not as an / Mnagdemeol provocative. It underlines the fact that imposition but as an objective and efficient ~ Programme although they have partially succeeded at mechanism in helping the District to cleain its gaining home rule-there is art elected financial lsouse. This issue of The Urban Age is funded by mnayor. a council, and a nonvoting delegate to E.A. Anighede the Danish Agency for International Development, the Federation of Canadian Congress-the residents are yet to bc fully Lecturer itn Urban Planning Municipalities (Canadian International enfranchised. Ondo State Polytechnic Development Agency), the Fannie Mae The establishment of the control board is a (hw(o, NVigeria Office of Housing Research, and the World Bank. Developmental funding has been provided by the UNDP-UNCHS(Habitat)- World Bank Urban Management Programme and the World Bank. LUiIUf Note Cities offer us the extremes of life: wealth without responsible planning and development of _ -I- _ I I I j and poverty; beauty and decay; success and these cities lie the seeds of catastrophe. failure. In this issue we celebrate city life. The realization that the cultural life of cities is Jeb Brugmann 'Why? Because despite their problems- worth preserving and that this preservation can ICLEI, Toronto, Canada unsustainability, degradation, poverty, and also be a tool for urban development is explored James H. Carr violence, they are also the locus of commerce, by Charles Landrey and Jann Darsie. They write Office of Homesing Resear ch invention, and creativity. To borrow Robert respectively about the efforts of the museums of G. Shabbir Cheema McNamara's phrase, "cities exist as an Eastem Europe and Russia to develop ciltural UWDP, New York USA expression of man's attempt to achieve his tourism, and the attempts by a small El Charles Correa potential." Salvadoran town to create a cultural plan and Bombay, India Saskia Sassen and Sujata Patel in their lead preserve its heritage. Both writers demonstrate Zsuzsa Daniel offer compelling evidence that the city today- the ways people in cities are creating better places Research Institute the new frontier-is emerging in two ways : as for themselves to live. Ministry of Finance the global city in the developed world and as From the Greek philosophers to the European ludapest, Hungary the mega city in the developing wvorld. This Romantic poets of the 19th century the city in Daktar Metropolitan Community does not mean, as some observers have literature, poetry and the arts has commanded a Dakar, Senegal suggested, that the city is dying. Rather they unique cultural and social position in the lexicon. Nigel Harris arc reinventing themselves. In this issue we also explore the beauty and the Development Planning Unit In "The Tempestuous Birth of the New impact of cities through the media of storytelling, Universztv College Asian Cities" Deyan Sudjic describes the carnival, music, photography and cinema: the Tondont England emerging 21 st century megalopolis. The traditional and modem expressions of urban Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs tremendous power and potential of the cities of vitality. Through these articles we leam that the The Hague, The Netherlands the Pearl River Delta are astonishing. Not city is the place where humanity has placed its Aprodicio Laquian since the industrial revolution of the 19th hope for the future. It is this that we celebrate. UBC Centre for Human Settlements century have cities offered so much As always we welcome your comments, and Vancouver, Canada opportunity for so many people to prosper. suggestions about the issue. Akin Mabogunje lbadan, Nigeria However, he leaves us with a sobering thought: Margaret Bergen Mohamad Machnouk Eco Beiut, Beirut, Lebanon Pablo Trivelli Urban M anagement Programme r and Th 1ou Quito, Ecuador Fafeull and Thanh You Jaime Valenzuela ------------------------------ IUL4A/CELCADEL, Quito, Ecuador It is with bittersweet emotions that I say editorial board who were vital to the launch of farewell to readers of The lUrban Age to take up The Urban Age and whose support has allowed a post with the International Finance Corpora- the journal to flourish. Thank you also to) Michael tion of the World Bank. When The Urban Age Cohen at the World Bank, without whose Arif Hasan was launched in 1992, we could not have guidance and vision The Urban Age would not Karacht Pakistan anticipated its reception. Today more than have been born. Hilda Herzer 22,000 people in 178 countries read the journal, The Urban Age will continue to cover those Centro Estuedios Sociales y and its reputation continues to grow as a issues most crucial to the developing world's Ambientales leading vehicle for dialogue about global urban cities. We look forward to your continued support. Buenos Aires, Argentina issues. Peter Swan I would like so thank those members of the -Mary McNeil Thailand, Bangkok- i _ _ The Urban Age aims to stimulate lively debate and interaction on various topics in developed and MI l I developing countries. The ideas expressed in articles appearing in The Urban Age reflect the personal comments of each auhor, and are not representative of any one agency or organization. Individual articles Editor Margaret Bergen apparing in The Utrba Age may be reproduced or reprinted provided the author(s) and The Urban Age are Production Michelle Zook cited, and a courtesy copy is sent to The Urban Age. Distribution Lillian Lyons IRE URRRR R6E CITIES TODAY continuedfrom page I industry's software. dwellers work in a broad range of activities. Slums are key sites for the Today's global cities are command points in the organization of the production of low-value-added goods that are necessary for urban life world economy: key locations and marketplaces for the most advanced such as plastic goods, cosmetics, food products, and stationery prod- contemporary industries, which provide finance and specialized ucts. services, and major production sites for these industries. So there is an enormous potential among the large, desperately poor populations of megacities. We must find ways of harnessing The megacity this energy to makc cities more productive and to ensure a better life for these workers and their children. The megacity is popularly depicted as being overcrowded with dense slums, squatter settlements, and pavement- dwellers whose access to Cultural divcrsity the most elementary services is negligible and who frequently fall victim to epidemics and disease. Such cities are also usually associated Large cities around the world are places where a multiplicity of with drag-trafficking, prostitution, and crime. Yet the image of slums as transnational and transregional processes assume concrete, localized unclean, dirty, and hazardous is exaggerated. Indeed, such images often forms; and where people from many different regions, countries, and say more about the neglect of local authorities than the life-style and villages converge. They are thus intrinsically diverse. preferences of the slum-dwellers. Many slum dwellings are clean, and a The international character of major cities lies not only in their great deal of self-help and self-development by the slum-dwellers has telecommunications infrastructure and their multinational firms: it also ensured a minimum of services. lies in the many different cultural environments in which their inhabit- More importantly, the popular images seem to ignore the fact that ants live and work. The large city may bear the marks of a dominant these slum-dwellers have often been forced to migrate to cities due to corporate culture, but it also contains a variety of other cultures and the privatization of land and then forced into extreme poverty. But they identities that reflect humanity's diversity and potential. El still have aspirations and energy, and a determination to find work; and they are willing to work as hard as they can. They also have expecta- Saskia Sassen is a prcofessor of uirbani planning at Columbia University, tions for their children and a knowledge and understanding of New York. Her most recent book is Cities in a World Economy (Pine grassroots political processes and often a capacity to develop their Forge: Sage, 1994). Sujata Patel is a professor and head of the urban shelters in imaginative ways if given even minimal resources. Deparlment of Sociology at Bombay Women 's Univeisity. Her most What is omitted in these popular images is that the slums and recent book is Bombay: MAetaphor for Mocdern India which was crowded spaces of megacities are also productive areas. Most slum- coauthored with A. Thorner (Bombay: Oxford University Press. 1995). Urfban Music: The Birth of Roch and Roll Peter Hall is aprofessor ojfplanning at the Barlett School of Architecture. University College, London Modem popular music was born in Despite segregation, the two groups and mid-1955, about half came from was a different kind of innovation: Memphis, Tennessee, in July 1954. lived side by side, and could not help country, half from blues; it was the bottom-up rather than top-down, a The place was the studio of the Sun hear each others' music. Memphis blues-based records that were to make new kind of commercial folk art. Record Company and the artist was was the place where the two streams him famous. Hollywood in the 1920s had been an unknown truck driver and part- met and finally fused. The music he sang, rockabilly, the sole previous examnple; and it is time musician called Elvis Presley. Memphis was a unique city. For was white coumLy music with a black sorely significant that both these That much is legend. But in any decades, it had possessed a reputation rhythm-and no white man had sung cases were American. America at event, the new sound would have as a wide-open-, fiee and easy, slightly like that before. When the disk last democratized culture, and the emerged sometime around 1955, crazy place. In the 1950s, a new jockeys heard it. they didn't know if resulting new tradition would have because the conditions were right: group of white entrepreneurs emerged Preslcy was white or black. momentous implications. there was a new generation of who knew and cared for both musical It was a genuine cultu-al revolu- Not the least of these implica- affluent young people, who rejected traditions. One. Sam Phillips, who tion, a very special case of urban tions was the creation of new mass the norms and the tastes of their came out of commercial radio to artistic creative innovation. The media, which wcre broadcast to parents; there was a breaking-down found Sun Records, was willing to interesting point was this: Memphis, a millions of people worldwide, It of the old racial barriers, which give a chance to an unknown singer deeply provincial city almost was significant then and it is encouraged musicians to mix straight off the street-which was unknown to mainstream America, significant now, when another different musical strains that had how Presley arrived. Memphis thus innovated while New York's Tin Pan economic revolution is taking place. previously been kept apart; there became the scene of a real cultural Alley-the East Coast half of Technological and cultural were new technologies-the FM revolution. It was the setting for the America's entertainment capital- innovation are fusing to create a transistor radio, long-playing record, first recorded victory of the art of a desperately resisted this revolutionary new service product today, and recording tape; and there was rural underclass and of its underclass music. The established musical multimedia. And, unsurprisingly, the rise of another nmew technology, performers, and finally of its values, industry fought viciously to preserve the locations of the new industry are television, which was marginalizing It all came together in the person its position-not least because in Califomia: in urban areas such as radio and forcing it to develop new of Presley: born from very poor Irish everyone in it found the new music Silicon Vallcy, where the modem niche markets. stock in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, incomprehensible and shocking. electronics industry was bom in the It could have happened in several he lived at the border of the black This story is significant. In ahmost 1950s, as well as in Hollywood. American cities, but the most likely delta and the white hills. Presley was all previous history, cultural innova- In Memphis, the emergence of was Memphis. For the new music exposed to bothi musical strains from tion in the Northern hemisphere had this quintessential urban art form was folk music, created by desper- childhood: the white strain through emerged from established cities- was a special kind of cultural ately poor rural people. There were his parents' Pentecostal church, the centers of wealth and power, like freedom, a freedom typical of cities two such groups around Memphis: second through a black radio station Florence, London, Vienna, Paris, and in a fringe region, that allowed these the whites in the hills to the east, the he listened to after his parents moved Berlin. Technological-industrial streams to flow in the first place, It blacks in the delta cotton fields to to Memphis in 1953. He began to go innovation, in contrast, had come out is that same freedom that is now the south. Segregated by the most to black clubs and hear the music of upstart fringe cities like Manches- unleashing a flood of creative oppressive race laws in the United there; much of his early music was ter, Glasgow, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. activity in other urban American States, these musical traditions taken from this experience. Of his But now, cultural innovation was areas-with global effects that will nonetheless intluenced each other. first ten recordings between mid-1954 happening in those places too, and it be equally profound. THE V0E0N R6E U,-, loot0 =11 1 1 - W - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Innovative Programs for the Urban Poor in Cali, Colombia by Rodrigo Guerrero m Rodrigo Guerrero, a physician with a Ph.D. in public health, is the former mayor of Cali, Colombia. I CALI. There is no activity. Despite this image, used extensively in Cali, and is Problems can also be question that among urban- Cali-with its crowded slums and now being used elsewhere in opportunities dwellers the most important squatter settlements, high rates of Colombia. More than 100,000 environmental threat, as well as morbidity and mortality, large microentrepreneurs have gone So, with the philosophy that th, the strongest predictor of ill informal sector, and extreme through this process, and more problems of the poor should be health, is poverty. poverty-is, in many ways, typical than $30 million has been made viewed as opportunities and that I say this as a physician who has of large urban centers in Latin available in loans. The default rate the people involved should be pai spent most of his life trying to do America and elsewhere. is less than 1 percent. Each $1,000 of the solution, we recommended the traditional things that doctors in loans creates another stable job to these people that they collect do to help the poor-things like Poor to solve their own problems opening - a success rate that their recyclable materials and use working in health centers or compares very favorably with them to pay for paving their advising people on nutrition. It is Cali's urban poor may be other kinds of investments in streets. We established recycling always poverty that has the illiterate, but they are also ex- entrepreneurship. centers where people can take greatest impact on the health of tremely intelligent, hard-working, The beneficiaries of the project recyclable materials. They are urban-dwellers. So the best way creative, and resourceful people. go on and develop businesses of credited with the market price of to improve the health of the urban They are adept at solving their their own. Ten years ago, I each item they bring in. They can poor is to fight poverty. own problems and fulfilling their became acquainted with one of the spend the credit either to help own needs. In most cases, this is first people to go through the pave the streets or for their own Definition of poverty despite governmental efforts, training/counseling/ credit individual purposes-improving which tend to be either inadequate process. Today, he has two their houses or paying for doctor There has been a lot of or nonexistent. The urban poor businesses; neither of which is visits. discussion among economists avoid unemployment every day of "micro." One business makes Bottle caps, for instance, are about the definition of "absolute" their lives by finding self-employ- matresses; and the other, in which considered scrap iron; so some poverty. To me, the definition is ment. he employs his family and all his people bring in 55-gallon drums very simple: for an urban-dweller, Economists previously ne- children, makes beds and house- filled with bottle caps for recy- unemployment means absolute glected the importance of this kind hold furniture. cling. The credits they earn can bi poverty. Unemployment is more of employment, calling the poor in Another example of the kind of used to purchase cobblestones, important than health, education, our cities members of the "infor- businesses people start are corner which are put in place by mem- or environmental sanitation. The mal" sector of the economy, in food shops. In the impoverished bers of the community. This help~ poor have to live, anid to live they contrast to the "formal" sector in neighborhoods of Cali, there are to unite people. When a street need to earn money. You don't which employees work a fixed several on every block. Supermar- paving job is finished, the group have to search, as many people number of hours per week, receive kets aren't appropriate in commu- dynamic remains, ready to be have done, for other measures of regular compensation, pay taxes, nities where people need to eat channeled toward another goal. absolute poverty, such as daily contribute to mandatory social now and pay later, but corner food I recently read a book that I'm caloric intake vis-a-vis the insurance schemes, and save for stores are a natural food distribu- sure most of you know, Reinvent- number of calories needed to live. retirement. In Latin America, the tion system in these communities. ing Government by David An unemployed person in a city is informal sector employs more than Osborne. One of the key ideas in a person in absolute poverty. 50 percent of the total urban Cali's recycling initiative this book is that government To help its unemployed and workforce. In some cases-in should do the steering, not the impoverished residents to Peru, for example-this figure My second example of how the rowing. That is what we've tried improve their quality of life, the may be 70 percent or higher. city of Cali has helped its urban to do in Cali: to channel pcople; city of Cali, Colombia, has poor to help themselves involves to indicate the direction; and then managed-through developing Cali's program to alleviate recycling. Cali is a very modern to liberate the energy that is insid( microentrepreneurial activities poverty town. But still there are parts of individuals, communities, private and encouraging waste recy- the city where you'll find slums, organizations, and nongovem- cling to create employment Recently, the city of Cali has where there is running water and mental organizations. opportunities while simulta- tried to help its urban poor to help where water is distributed in neously contributing to a healthier themselves. I'll give two ex- closed carts. This article was adaptedfrom the environment in poor neighbor- amples. First, having discovered Because the city does not do a book Down to Earth-Commu- hoods. Cali is the third largest city that the poor of Cali are among the good job of collecting waste in nity Perspectives on Health, in Colombia, with nearly 2 best microentrepreneurs in the poor neighborhoods, the residents Developmelnt and the Environ- million people. It is perhaps best world, we devised a program of normally throw their trash into ment, eds. Bonnie Bradford and known outside Colombia for its small business development based holes in the ground or into the Margaret A. Gymore (WVest active drug cartel and the violence on training, counseling, and credit. river that runs close to where they Hartford, CT: Kumarian Press, associated with illegal drug The combination of all three was live. Inc., 1995). THE URRRN REE As_.. inn" ---------------------------------- Planning for Culture The Special Future of Suchitoto by Jann Darsie Jan'z Darsie is a recent Fulbright Scholar who worked wvith CONCULTURA in El Salvador. She is a contributhing writerfor AMERICAS Magazine (Organization of American States) and teaches at American University in Washington, D.C. SUCHITOTO. Political rise to a special planning process social, and health organizations; drawing on a broad represen- unrest in El Salvador in the late focused specifically on the town's and other nongovernmental tation of all civil, official, and 1970s exploded into all-out civil cultural heritage and how to shape organizations were also called on institutional sectors. In Suchitoto, war in the 1 980s. The peace its future direction. A major to participate. the process was organized around accords signed in January 1992 impetus behind the cultural A cultural plan is an instru- workshops, with all attendees paved the way for national development of Suchitoto has ment that can be utilized by a actively participating. Different reconciliation. After 12 years of been the effort of the town's community (both its civil leaders viewpoints on the problems were armed conflict, government native-born son, Alejandro Cotto. and local institutions) to give voiced, and consensus was agencies-together with a host of He has taken on the role of reached in a short period of time. international entities and non- producing cultural performances In November and December 1994 govermnental organizations-are and exhibitions, and has spear- the "Cultural Plan for Suchitoto" rebuilding the nation. headed efforts to restore the Santa took shape in two work-shops held For Suchitoto-a town of Lucia Church. Cotto also com- over three weeks. 13,000 residents known as the posed the music and wrote the The plan ensures that the cultural capital of El Salvador- words to the "Suchitoto Ilymn." lcultural and artistic development the last few years have also been a The meetings to restore " of the town not be left to chance, time of economic, cultural, and Suchitoto raised important l but determined in a focused and social reconstruction and recon- questions such as "What does it controlled way through citizen ciliation. The town has one of the means to be a national historical input. few colonial churches left in El monument?" "Who will carry on l m -. The first step in the consensus Salvador, many beautiful colonial the work of Alejandro Cotto in . ..w... process was to identify problems. residences, and a historic central future?" "How should the special i g These were: plaza. It is a place that values its character of Suchitoto be pre- lack of education and past and was recently named by served?" " F promotion of cultural values, the Ministry of Education as a * lack of a cultural plan that national historical monument. Creating a cultural plan relates to the overall municipality, Time for reconstruction A committcc was formed to l* ack of adcquatc venues to devise a cultural plan for present the arts and culture. Municipal leaders have Suchitoto. The planning commit- To remedy lack of funding, a actively sought resources to tee included representatives from shape to ideas, take action, and key problem in developing reconstruct their community and the mayor's office and the city obtain results to preserve and Suchitoto's cultural resources, it have come together in Suchitoto council, the Coommitte for the develop its cultural assets. was recommended that a tax- to restore the town's ordinary Reconstruction of Cuscatlan (the A cultural plan allows a exempt foundation be created to buildings and its historic monu- jurisdiction where Suchitoto is commtmity to identify and raise funds. In honor of the name ments. These objectives have located), and Casa de la Cultura confront problems that hamper Suchitoto, it was recommended united opposing political parties. (the local community cultural the development of culture. It that it be called the "Flower and In order to reconstruct the center which is part of the should be used as an integral part Bird Foundation." community, a task force of Ministry of Education). Togcthcr, of the municipality's other The Cultural Plan for citizens' groups and city officials they planned the agenda and development plans. For example, Suchitoto is a work in progress. convened in September 1994 to chose 40 community leaders to a cultural attraction such as a The town is already attracting discuss the development of participate. church or a museum stimulates performances and audiences from tourism and culture, as well as the An important feature was the tourism, economic benefits, and the capital city of San Salvador preservation and improvement of participants' diverse political, educational opportunities. The with increasing regularity. The the environment of Suchitoto. social, and artistic views. The plan helps to define priorities, and restoration of the Santa Lucia How should the tourist industry participants ranged from Mayor establish goals and responsibili- Church is well under way. The be developed to benefit, not ruin, Sandoval Alas, one of the few ties. In the words of an ex-guerilla local leaders have made their the town? "Suchitoto has tremen- elected mayors from the opposi- leader: "Art heals the trauma of cultural future an integral part of dous potential in the area of tion party, and the chief of police war. A cultural plan can help planning the physical and cultural development," pro- aligned with the conservative rescue part of what has been economic aspects of development. claimed Mayor Sandoval Alas. regime; to an artist who had just lost-to help us confide in our They have also succeeded in "How can its development best be opened a gallery and a couple neighbors again." protecting and nurturing the directed and encouraged?" who are building Suchitoto's only The process of micro-planning cultural and social value of The September meetings gave hotel. Citizens'groups; youth, is based on consensus, ideally their town's history. THE URBRN RGE Mf-, 1006 i~~- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Spirit of Miami by Margaret Bergen IMargaret Bergen is the editor of'The Urban Age. MIAMI. It has often been turning it into a uniquely Ameri- Puerto Ricans. These were buildings of South Beach. These suggested that Miami society is can experience in bicultural and immigrants in the traditional mold buildings were predominantly the some kind of cultural experiment. bilingual living. After Fidel who sought economic opportuni- apartments and hotels inhabited But this suggests conscious, Castro's 1959 revolution. Miami ties. The multiple migrations by a previous generation of organized planning. Rather, the was deluged with wave after wave produced a pool of cheap, tourists, the now-elderly popula- development of modem Miami of Cuban reftgees over a half- bilingual labor that in turn led to tion who had begun coming to has been a lucky accident of million in all over the course of the development of a new and Miami in the '20s. The effort politics and geography-a two decades. And, unlike most muscular ethnic economy. succeeded. Overnight, Miami confluence of forces that have immigrants, these people were Concurrently, the growing Beach became a hip watering hole dramatically changed its demo- political rather than economic social and political clout of the for those in search of a cheap graphic landscape. refugees. This factor greatly Cuban groups was transforming holiday. The TV show "Miami This year, the city celebrates influenced Miami's fiture Miami into a locus for Hispanic Vice," filmed on location at its centennial. development. investment, with links to the Miami Beach, added to the allure This first wave of Cuban emerging economies of the Latin of the place. Of tourism-and trains I Gradually, the business equally arttteil icommnunity came to see that a Julia Tuttle was a Cleveland niche market for a new breed of widow who came to Miamni in the discering tourist-more vaca- late 19th century to escape the tions of shorter duration-could cold Ohio winters. This "Mother be created here. The recently of Miami" felt others would be renovated Delano Hotel exempli- equally attracted to the tiny - fies this thinking. After extensive town's pristine beaches, sunny market research-and a sizable skies, and warm climate. Conse- payout of $25 million-the quently, she persuaded railway hotel's owner, Ian Shrager, sees magnate Henry Elagler to extend the Delano as a serious invest- his Florida East Coast Railway meant in the city itself "Its south from Palm Beach. He did position between Europe and so in 1896. The trains brought an Central and South America-and, invasion of wealthy sun-seekers of course, the rest of the United who built grand homes and hotels States-is unique. The city is that made Miami a tourist maturing: it is becoming very destination. With the construction service-oriented, and this is the of the Intracoastal Waterway and place for a hotel that appeals to the development of Miami Beach immigrants were from the upper American and Canbbean region. those who care about quality." in the 1920s, a tropical capital and middle classes. They came, Miami was becoming a place Thus, the Delano, with its stylish was bohrn they thought, for temporary where people from the region whimsy, elegance, and good Miami boomed between the asylum and were ready to leave as could come and do business; it retur on investmnent (it has an 1920s and 1950s, a place of pastel soon as the revolution failed, would eventually emerge as an occupancy rate of 90 percent), gqlamour with a tradition of easy Many came with money. Others important trnding entrepot with precisely captures the Miami money. But in the 1960s and came with academ ic and intellec- Central and South America, spirit first tapped by Julia 1970s, while the Florida economy tual resources that allowed them thanks in pant to the Cuban Tuttle-that is, the ability to grew rapidly, Miami's tourist too to flourish. During el exilio diaspora and to the waves of capitalize on natural assets like industry stagnated. Competition (the exile), as the months turned Caribbean and Central American sea and sand by wooing business from other Florida resorts and into years and then into decades, ism.mgrantsi interests. direct flights to the Caribbean the Cubans formed their own In the 1980s, the maturation of diverted tourists from the city. social, economic, and political Maturation of Miami-From Miami was occuning on another world that was to alter perma- playground to trading partner front as well-as an intenational Unique source of immigrants nently the nature of Miami. trading partner, a gateway to shapes society Other immigrants also helped In the 1980s, Miami seriously Latin America. The Beacon shape Miami society at this time: set about reversing its decline in Council, Miami's economic As tourism waned, a new kind Haitians, Nicaraguans, Mexicans, tourism. This initiative began development agency, describes of migration shaped the city, Dominicans, Panamanians, and with renovation of the art deco contintued on page 7 P THE UROAN HOE MNLMI the city as "The Business Capital ethnicity." On the positive side, he rhythms kept alive by its are the Mediterranean-style villas of the Americas." The statistics maintains that there is an emerging numerous immigrant communi- of Coral Gables, one of the first are indeed compelling. For common culture. "The arts, music, ties. Here, cultural traditions and planned communities in Miami example, the city is currently the and dance have numerous events the language of the old country built in the 1 920s, and the third largest international banking that mix styles and people." are protected and nurtured. cinder block houses of parts center in the United States and Predictably, he notes, second For instance, in Callc Ocho, of poor northem Miami. home to more than 330 multina- generation Miamians still speaks the Cuban neighborhood, the There are luxurious condo- tional companies. And in her their native language, but "their storefronts describe their wares miniums in Coconut Grove and book World Class (New York cultural tastes arc more in line with in Spanish. But what really on Brickell Avenue which were City: Simon and Schuster, 1995), mainstream American culture than distinguishes the area from the put up during the cocaine years of Rosabeth Moss Kantor notes that, with their parents'." rest of the city is the small scale the 1980s; these rival in opulence in Miami, "trade surpassed of the place: the shops lined up the mansions of movie stars and tourism as the number one Miami spirit against each other look as if they famous singers on Star or industry in 1994 to reach an were built for a smaller city: Hibiscus Island. And the Ameri- economic impact of over $7 The "official" Miami spirit is the there are old men playing chess can middle class dream of the billion." ambiance of an effective service on the broad sidewalks; music good life finds its expression in culture created for the international blares from car speakers hung houses with two-car garages and Separate, parallel societies traveler and business person. Easy by wire from the stores. The swimming pools in prosperous communication, world-class port physical layout harks back to an South Miami. But what of the people who facilities (the city boasts the architecture from an older Julia Tuttle had the vision to have made these changes pos- world's largest port facility for socicty; one that forces people lure the railway and the develop- sible? Margery Bonnet, a Haitian vacation cruises), and strong trade into a daily intimacy; one that ers here. Not even she, however, accountant and resident of and banking links throughout the predates and belies the anonym- could have imagined that the city Coconut Grove who has lived in hemisphere justify the title "City of ity of the strip malls of the carved from a subtropical Miami for six years, calls Miami the Americas." "other" Miami. wilderness would become at its "the best city in America for But the city's heart and soul beat This is a city that presents centennial a rich and varied foreigners." She says that the city to many different rhythms- many faces to the world. There international megalopolis. is familiar with and tolerant of immigrants: "It is a place of incredible opportunity-" Con- Citq Qui z-Test Youf Urban Hnowiledoe versely, though, she feels there is --------------------------------- very little intercourse among the 1. When did the first cities come into being? different ethnic groups. 2. How many countries are 100 percent urbanized? Name them. This vision corresponds to the words of Joan Didion. Didion, in 3. How mnany cities in the United States have populations of one million or more? her book Miami (New York: 4. Which city has the largest population'? Simon and Schuster, 1987), 5. Which country contains the most cities with populations over one million'? describes the city as a community of parallel but separate societies. 6. What country has the smallest capital city population? There is much truth to this 7. What city along the equator has the largest population? statement. As Carlos Guittieriez, a Cuban-American university 8. How many cites have subway/metro systems (16 km mimum underground)? student, puts it, "At high school 9. When Yemen and South Yemen merged, which of the two capital sites became the primary capital, S'ana or you mix with whoever is in your Aden? class; at home you do not." 10. Name the four quarters of Old Jerusalem. Further, Alex Stepick, a vow-jatv 'uyit-Ks 'or2! f f~ sociologist at Florida International iA;z'6S 76 Universityand coauthor of City '966!t '-9 L o TE uvlsug t?f Sn '0nIp9 £6-36! University '~~~~~~~~~~~~(sLanooA urod 15su:s rqn , :ref 7sd 71ytq9: S 1220 : ½ita p .2sfrl9; "9.,L JUZursLtL 111N 404.7s o aw; 'D/y 8i7rtlyfw' at7 gt s' N on the Edge (Berkeley and Los ' .ouo -u-7 -'a 4.22L5 4A-Vf-Jy ago 'l N laCyd l0& 'nqnasa ' '42p 4opvA2£' 41 '024' 29(2x472prfOg' LI £ Angeles: University of California '-Mdn La '102& T9.y: 224 -D104% - '4042 ow -10-v lym g I2 p8-r .- i -q. ˇ1t SI -H vn2 -22 1) 'O*0 90,J Press, 1993) a book about :04. saxd oot w20O 4tq 85 It'mJ2rt [6? 5!! immigration in Miami, has this to 42/5 lap oq ail N*22'  1422 72 0 421'27 - i say on the subject of a common £:661 :2f241266! 2'5 o's2i09 411 20/2) 1254 . '12L225 OLd 1 5242Lolffl [I 4 14 420 54 14 Miami identity: "About cultural 'E661 'ag10,V '66 qg7. 7. 0o o 27 42_ isotuaW £661 6&T 5_2 Pa [ ap45 4 220: 000 00Z -41 4297 convergence-on the negative 0 9066! 512 0£anOff 2022i10'r '-rf l2?aP 2'u 0 0' iD 1 -ur2a4 7 m ii loSlna vvs u1021 2 side, polarization continues, g9lt £ o 1661 '1-03 Id24N R r0)45.21.2 21 f '1 "= 2s g- particularly in the political arena. 222241ue 13 4PWA1 PIJ O110 2e A2410 -'W1 29 42/ At .7 2'7 /u22119l 8425 15 .2.222 4 2225 '-' 4nC 22'7f e7154.22/5 D where there is no apparent . - - - L 9 i convergence in political appeals. r k R Politicsare polaized byContributted bv Richard Sheehey, geogr-apher Politics are polarized by THE OREHGH RGE The Tempestuous Birth of the New Asian City by Deyan Sudjic Dexasn Sudjic is a writer specializinig in urban affairs. He is the author of a book on cities, The 100 Mile City (New York: Harcourt, Bruce anbd Comnpany. 1992). HONG KONG. The new to nin the factories that Hong uncontrollably accross intemna- city the size of London every six Asian cities of the late 20th Kong has built in China's tional frontiers. months. Intense urban growth is century owe nothing to the Guandong province, one of the This nameless conurbation- surging toward Guangzhou, contemporary European ideal of largest new economic zones. its only competitors are Shanghai situated 70 miles up the Pearl urbanism. They are dense, raw, There are a few Westerners on the and Jakarta-is exploding; its River, to meet another firestonn chaotic, and-above all-vast. ferry too, in search of bargain population the benchmark for a of rapid urbanization raging on Architects in Asia have a weak- basement manufacturing deals, or new generation of turbo-charged the other side of the delta. ness for glossy, white tiles; pedaling high-tech equipment to metropolises. Within a decade-if And a continuous ribbon of minrored glass. and chrome. It is entrepreneurs. From the other it continues to expand at its concrete high rises, industrial as if the construction materials direction come teenage hustlers present rate-this new city will warehouses and hotels is snaking they use are an antempt to lugging suitcases of pirated become home to 40 million all the way down to Macao. This disinfect the squalor of old Asia. software, clutching mobile people, surpassing Tokyo, Osaka, phenomenon is more than a They build shopping malls, telephones. and Mexico City to become the chaotic spectacle-a temporary skyscrapers, airports. and business byproduct of China's rediscovery parks. But all of these familiar H U N A N J I A N GXI of capitalism. Fueled by an urban landmarks have been ( ' - ,r. - y N , exploding economy, the urban- subverted into something very / ' ization of the Pearl River repre- different from their Westem ---)j - sents the future of fte modem antecedents. I metropolis-a decisive shift away Europe has forgotten what it is GUANG XI i J < - from the European and American like to live in a city in which the / . urban ideal. population doubles and redoubles As the ferry to Zhuhai moves in a single lifetime; where a , - away from its berth, businessmen surveyor's grid laid out with pegs ( G U A N G D O N G hardly give a second glance to the and string in open fields can view through the salt-streaked quickly mushroom into a skyline .- windows. Every inch of the of skyscrapers. The building , . > Guongzhou shoreline has been built up; it is a boom that is now happening 0 solid mass of dry docks and around the Pacific Rim is an , container tcrminals ovcrlooked by apocalyptic transfonmation not iJ high-rise apartments stretching up seen since the 19th centtiry, when PEARL RIVER _ _ -_ Shenzen , into the hills. The water itself is London and Paris tumed them- h. iha so thick that it too has become selves into the largest cities the )'l part of the city. A little way out, world had yet seen. .HONG KONG, U.K. the feny skirts the towering concrete piers of the half-built The Pearl River economy MACAO PORT suspension bridge linking the still-not-complete runways of the The jetfoil to Zhuhai in new airport that BTtitain will Guandong province on the bequeath its last colony. Chinese mainland splutters out of SO u T H CHINA SEA Hong Kong's China Fcnry Zhuhai-Citv of the future Terminal 15 minutes late. This aged blue-and-white tub has The two sides of the Pearl largest city in the world. A But even this frenzy of acquired a new lease on lifc as a River are inextricably linked. In population greater than most of constnuction is hardly adequate makeshift floating mass transit the last decade, an increasingly the individual countres of Europe preparation for the extraordinary system crossing the Pearl River to affluent Hong Kong has exported will be packed into an area not world of Zhuhai. "Development is the world's newest metropolis, a constant stream of jobs to the much larger than the greater the Only Way" proclaim giant Zhuhai, a sprawling monster city low-wage economy across the London region. hoardings written in English and still in the throes of h violent border in China, investing embellished with childlike birth. millions of dollars in the process. Exploding coastal economy paintings of the high-speed Chain-smoking commuters The Pearl River delta is becoming French railway system, the TGV cross and recross the Pearl River a single giant city spilling Coastal Asia is building a new continued onl page 20 F THE URRRN HOE Mar 1996 il IlII et-! -------------------------------------_ Cultural Tourism in Eastern Europe and Russia by Charles Landry Charles Landrv is the director of Comedia, a British utrban research and planning consultancy. He is coauthor of The Creative City (London: Demos Books, 1995). BUDAPEST. "I enjoyed of our consumer society. They have to develop to survive. So the most of them. myself in Prague. Prague once aspire to a McDonalds, while we the questions are: what values Take Florence. Its culture re- more had become a cosmopolitan go to East European cities to avoid should they adopt, and what inforced its importance. Or center in which Europe found its them. It is precisely the absence of assets should they emphasize? consider Canterbury or Chartres, identity again. Compared with ; modem metropolises with their uniformn skyscrapers and concrete shacks Prague has remained the creation of a cultured society." This was written by Oskar Kokoschka, the Austrian artist, in 1930. What Kokoschka grasped then, many Westerners are only now appreciating: the beauty of the cities straddling the fonner faultlines between East and West. A It is not only Praguc, which is popular (it receives 30 million ;i_ k K tourists a year); but also Budapest, Cracow, Lvov in the Ukraine. Vilnius in Lithuania, Riga in Latvia, Tallinn in Estonia, and St. Petersburg. Of course, these cities have s oJEastein Eniope and their share of eyesores, such as re non o siog culture to ,i monotonous housing estates or u rbanii developnemet. gargantuan factories that pump out orange toxic fumes. However, such consumer symbols that makes In most of these cities, it is their where a saint's relic helped make their relative lack of skyscrapers, these cities distinct and unique and culture that is their strongest a city rich. the fact that mixed uses still attractive to Western tourists. selling point. The more success- exist-where an artisan might live East European cities often seem ful East European cities are The museums of next door to a doctor, or where a to have more culture because it is those that are becoming the St. Petersburg workshop in the yard may coexist easier to see their layers of history. communciations nodes and with a foodshop in the front- Consider Tallinn. It is one of the gateways to the East, such as So now the East is using its remind us of a society where life few places in Europe where the Prague, Budapest, and St. cultural heritage, occasionally seems more homogeneous. aura of the 14th and 15th centuries Petersburg. They are also cities with surprising results. Consider In part, this attraction is about survives intact the jumble of that are culturally very rich. St. Petersburg with its nearly 100 Westem nostalgia. A name like medieval walls and turrets, and museums. What have they done? Prague or Budapest evokes winding cobbled streets. Or take Importance of culture to Many are underfunded and reflect memories: these cities seem to Vilnius's array of Central Lturopean urban development obscure interests, like bread, have both depth and promise. And architecture: winding streets, hygiene, or urban sculpture. this conviction seems even hidden courtyards, and dozens of When we re-emphasize the These museums can either go stronger now that urban changes old churches. importance of culture in a city bankrupt or be saved by a in the West have frequently Or consider St. Petersburg, with we are not doing anything strategic cultural tourism policy erased our past in the name of its magnificent palaces and particularly new. Culture has which has several objectives. For progress. numerous museums filled with always been a crucial tool in instance: Our substitutes in the West treasures. what we now call urban devel- * Cultural tourism can be a might be glamorous shopping These cities are contradictory. opment, and in urban competi- way to change foreigners' centers made to look like palaces They are beautiful; yet dilapidated tiveness strategies. There is mindscts about St. Petersburg and of consrumption, but we know and sometimes filthy; progressive nothing particularly novel about Russia, by conveying an image of there is more to a city and to yet stagnant; sophisticated yet using culture to regenerate or a civilized society with a great urban life, including history, industrial; anarchic yet conserva- revitalize a city. Humans have deal to offer. By association, such identity, and a culture. Yet the tive. always been clever at picking up tourism opens the way for East, for its part, also wants some But cities in Eastern Europe unlikely resources and making continued on page 20 0' THE RURAM RGE M EM ----------------------------- --- The New American Ghetto: Spirit of Survival by Camilo Jose Vergara [II Camilo Jose Vergara is a photographer specializing in urban subjects. He is the author of a new book, The New American Ghetto (New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 1995). He will be a visiting scholar at the Getty Center in Santa Monica, California, later this year. NEW YORK CITY. After a santly, was attracted to the liberal troubled academic career in Chile, arts, and settled for sociology as a I came to the United States as a choice of career. My friends tried college student at the age of 21. I to dissuade me: Chile didn't need arrived at the University of Notre sociologists. I was poor and Dame hoping to become an could not afford to waste time, so electronic engineer. I had dreams why make my return difficult? I of returning to Chile, regaining found myself marginal amidst the the family fortune, and one day aggressive wealth and optimism settling down as a gentleman of the United States of the late farmer. I never imagined that this 1960s. My friends directed their strange and prosperous land was interests to sports, the war in going to become my home, that I Vietnam, and their professional was going to raise a family here futures. In their eyes, my concern and devote my life to documnent- with ghettos was peculiar at best ing its most dangerous and and useless at worst, explained destitute neighborhoods. perhaps by my foreign origins. I The loss of my family's wealth could not make a living as a made me sharply aware of photographer of ghettos, but all changes of fortune. The dissolu- the same I was drawn to them. tion of my personal life in Chile rary photographers. Architectural Very few minority families seemed to be mirrored on a huge Urban photography photography showed the formal benefited from these programs. scale in America's cities-and perfection and promise of new Further, Defense Department nobody I knew seemed concerned I began as a street photogra- buildings, while street photogra- regulations, shaped by fear of about it. pher until I realized that my phy depicted life as a collection bomb and missile attacks, I soon found out that the interest lay more in what was of moments in which physical encouraged contractors to move wondrous IBM 360 did not want behind the people I was placing surroundings functioned as their plants out of urban areas. to share its secrets with me. But at the center of my photos. I did backgrounds. Racism, too, played an important then, I was not really interested in not find models for the work I I was awed to see so many role. Large migrations of blacks computers. Instead I read inces- wanted to do among contempo- substantial buildings discarded, and Latinos to the industrial cities even in their derelict condition. created panic among whites To my provincial eyes, these afraid that their neighborhoods _- ;- - iSears, Woolworths, assorted would become dangerous and that banks, mansions, decaying the value of their homes- -often skyscrapers, and huge movie their only investment-might theaters looked grand. Why were decrease. people abandoning what had _~ been built with so much love? Recording the urban I have read mnany articles and environment books explaining the flight from the cities first by the white These explanations ignored middle class and later by those what was happening to the urban blacks and Latinos able to do so. environment. With photography, I The three main reasons went like could make a record of these this: the highway system had momentous physical transforma- made it possible for people to tions. In 1977, 1 decided to move away from cities, and document the landscape of urban federal loans and tax breaks made poverty: commnercial streets, _ it affordable for young families to skylines, empty land, industrial buy a new suburban home with a scenes. Old postcards depicted small down payment and a skylines, main streets, and government-backed mortgage. continued on page 13 0 THE URURN RCE NEW AMERICAN GHEFI?O important buildings, showing me approaches homes and businesses, well-known, much of the dwellings, to decorate their the type of views I needed. Since signs warn of bodily harm and even industrial infrastructure that private spaces in ways that the subjects of my documentation loss of life if one dares to trespass. created the nation's wealth lies contrast with their surroundings, were changing so rapidly, I Fortifications separate buildings rusting. Large stretches of and to use the empty land for returned to the same places and from the street and from other commercial streets. miles at a vegetable gardens and re-photographed the same scenes. buildings, giving a menacing time, are semi-abandoned, flowers. Signs of pride are El. To the simple techniques of character to neighborhoods. With except for small clusters of common. In interiors and postcard photography, I added a locks that need to be opened, businesses amidst empty lots, public murals, symbols of Africa time dimension. alarms to be connected and boarded-up structures, and mix with portraits of black disconnected, dogs to be fed, and overgrown sidewalks. leaders. "Ghettoization"-The trends guards to be paid, security needs When people first looked at add considerably to the cost of Resistance to ruin my images of ghettos, I expected In two decades of documenting doing business in inner cities. anger and denial, but instead ghettos, I have encountered a Cities desperately try to be The last trend-and the one people said they were moved by number of major trends: fortifica- attractive to the middle classes by that inspires hope that the such scenes and thought the tion, ruination, the development offering them the amenities of 'sghettoization" might one day photographs should be more of enclaves, and resistance to ruin. suburban environments such as end-is the private, individual widely seen. Many people Fear of crime finds expression commercial malls and townhouse struggle to resist neglect and expressed deep sadness about in hardened buildings: their developments. Built as enclaves, degradation. Testament to this what has happened to American windows cinderblocked, wooden often behind fences and protected resistance can be seen inside cities. Perhaps this sentiment is doors replaced by metal doors, by security guards, these efforts homes, in gardens, and on walls. the first step toward rebuilding once-open courtyards now fenced. present a stark contrast to their People remaining in our ghettos our urban heritage. 3 Large dogs bark loudly as one decrepit surroundings. As is now struggle to maintain their L. Urban Tales: The Hakawatis-Popular Story-Tellers in Syria r by Nizar Abdullah Nizar Abdullah is an economic researcher and publisher from Syria. DAMASCUS. Popular story- interlocutor. Most likely, his instance, stop where the popular very expensive she-camels. telling is an age-old profession father and grandfather would also hero A'ntara is a prisoner while A'ntara marched single-handedly among urban Arabs and is a have been story-tellers. his beloved A'bla is about to be against the army of King Nu'man frequent event, especially in the Hakawatis always tell their tales wed to another man. The A'ntara was brought before the souks, or markets, and street cafes in towns; they are an essential hakawati stands among his king who had heard a lot about of towns in Syria. Historically, part of the Arab urban landscape. audience gesticulating with his him and admired his courage and popular story-tellers, or There have been many dark fingers or moving his hands and bravery. The king offered the hakawatis, were narrators of periods in the Arab world of face making certain gestures- reqtiired she-camels to A'ntara as religious stories; they then moved intellectual and political repres- very much like an actor. He might a gift, treated him hospitably, and on to mythology, and later to sion and foreign occupation when decide to narrate the story in a released him from captivity. epics and popular biographical the media and hakawatis were nonliteral manner and resort to The audience listening to the narratives. stifled. At these times, popular hyperbole to exaggerate the story is angry at A'bla's father foi The popular story-teller of old story-tellers alternated between strengths of-the hero in his tale. requesting such an excessive aroused the imagination of his emergence and disappearance; But if this happens, the audience dowry. They privately curse audience, instilling hope in them nevertheless, they always re- often intervenes to stop the fathers like him. They admire through tales about popular mained alive in the popular urban exaggeration. A'ntara' s bravery and daring, and heroes. Those tales described the psyche. Many in the audience are are pleased with the generosity of hardships such heroes endured In the past, there used to be a illiterate. However, they have King Nu'man who-like them- and the heroic feats they accom- story-teller in each quarter in the excellent memories. They will sympathized with the lovers. plished; they also provided a city of Damascus. He was popular probably have heard the narration Sentiments among the audience mechanism for the story-teller to among the people around him and many times and know all the alternate between anger, astonish- condemn tyranny and tyrants. enjoyed a distinguished social details. Recognizing their ment, and delight at the miracu- status. His income was mainly disapproval, the hakawati will lous deeds which transport them Story-telling's cultural function derived from subsidies from the come to his senses and reduce the to other worlds. notables residing in his neighbor- exaggerations with a skillful In other hakawati stories, The story-tellers would sit, as hood, plus tips paid to him by thc tum-as if he were merely trying principles of efficiency and they still do, in elevated armchairs cafe owner where he would tell to find out if everyone was merit-considered positive social inside buildings or in cafes, so his stories. The cafe owner could listening carefully to every word. values by the public-are that they could be seen by their generally count on the hakawati This interaction between the extolled. In the process, each audiences-just as professors do being good for business because story-teller and cafe habitu6s member of the audience in the in universities. Their cultural he would relate a portion of the sharpens the hakawati's imagina- cafe can believe that he possesses function was to establish social popular biographical narrative tion, polishes his style, and whets talents and traits that serve to and moral values through the each night over a period of his talents. Such interaction is distinguish him from others. successes and failures of popular several months. vital for the hakawati's original- In the past, rulers noticed the heroes. Values such as generosity; ity. strong influence of the hakawati courage; honesty; patience; Audience interaction essential Popular biographical narra- over the masses in Arab towns fortitude, philanthropy; aesthetic tions are numerous, such as the and their potential mobilizing appreciation; and loathing of It is interesting to watch story of A'ntara Ibn Shaddad who power. Some rulers sought to cowardliness, meanness, and evening entertainment-seekers lived near the end of the pre- influence these story-tellers in laziness were a key part of such listening to today's hakawati Islamic era. He was a poet whose their favor, as often happens with stories. By so doing, the story- alternating between gloom and poetry is still read. Nevertheless, writers, journalists, and poets. tellers aimed to promote the joy, or anger and ecstatic happi- the popular narration portrays him Nevertheless, any story-teller whc values upheld by the Arab ness. Every evening, the story- as a legendary hero and adds agrees to play such a role soon nation-and in particular the teller stops narrating his story at a many fictitious chapters to his loses his audience, his stage, urban Arab nation-and ordinary moment fraught with suspense, biography, thereby mixing reality and his livelihood. C Arab attitudes toward life. thereby creating the incentive for with imagination. Wh-en he asked Today, as in the past, the his audience to return the follow- for the hand of his cousin A'bla in hakawati must possess certain ing evening to hear the next marriage, her father asked for a qualifications. He must be male, exciting installment-just like dowry of 1,000 thoroughbred she- over 40 years old, cultured, modern-day TV soap operas. camels. A'ntara was poor. Only educated, and a well-spoken The narration might, for King Nu'man had that kind of NHE URRRNARE _ r --------------- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Carnival: The Ultimate City Celebration | by Ian Isidore Smart Ian Isidore Smart is a professor of Span2ish in the Department of Modern Languages and Literature at Howard Univer- IL sity. Dr. Smart's book, Amazing Connections: Kemet to Hispanophone Africana Literature, will be released this spring. - PORT-OF-SPAIN. Carnival carnivals throughout the ancient Carnival is life mad with the fullness of is the ultimate city festival. world from Babylonia to Rome. godhood, mad with the Wine of Astonishment, with the Through its celebration, the city The link to Kemet-that is, to Carnival is drama, histrion- music of the Bass Man. reaches its potential-as the Africa, with the contemporary ics, and hysteria; it is chaos and The Port-of-Spain carnival center and guardian of civiliza- Trinidad and Tobago carnival- reversal; but it is always contains a lesson for all contem- tion. becomes clear when one considers organized. Wrapped in the porary cites that are plagued with At the very dawn of civiliza- the details of many West African mantle of the celebration, the scourge of violence, all cities tion, the holy cities of Abydos cultural expressions: the central everyone is protected from the crying out for the restoration of and Denders in Upper Kemet role of masks, the processional violence that plagues the streets civilized existence. C.L.R. James, (Egypt) entered into history as street dancing to rhythmic music, during the year. For the two a Tnnidad and Tobago-bom carnival sites. By 4236 B.C., the the mass participation. days of carnival, everyone can scholar, pointed out in his book, peoplc of the Nile Valley-the traverse even the roughest The Black Jacobins (1938), that inventors of civilization-had Port-of-Spain carnival sectors of the city without fear- the societies of the enslaved created a calendar, dividing the because, as the kaiso (calypso) societies of the slar African masses on the sugar year into 360 regular days with Port-of-Spain is totally trans- tells it, "the road make to walk plantations in the Caribbean five "marvelous" ones that were formed by carnival. Stanley Lane- on carnival day." to be a mystical period outside of Poole, the British historian who in True carnival is a moment for constituted an authentic lumpen time. It was during this period that 1886 published his classic work, all, from the king to the lowest proletanat that would not emerge the celebration of life, resurrec- The Story of the Moors in Spain, commoner, to take their place Europe until after the industral tion, and renewal took place, with wrote of the role of the arts in literally in the Ra (sun). Inebri- revOlution Manuel Zapata its main focus on Wosir society that were created by those ated by the power of this Sun, Oivella, another Caribbean (Osiris)-the supremely generous Africans of Islamic faith who everyone becomes a Heru intellectual, from Colombia, has ancestor, the bestower of all the brought the gift of high civilization (hero). Earl Lovelace, the made it clear in Las Cloves tools necessary for civilization- to the Iberian Peninsula and to a Trinidad and Tobago novelist, Aiagicas de lmerica (1989) (The who gave his life for his beloved Europe sunk in the Dark Ages. He captures this excellently in his Secrets to UnderstandingAmeri- people. said: " The whole Moslem world book, The Dragon Can 't Danice can Society), that the West first Data provided by scholars such seemed given over to the Muses." (1979). His protagonist, Aldrick, experimented with the model for as E.A. Wallis Budge make it In Port-of-Spain at carnival is representative of all those New World society in the clear that what took place in time, the city belongs to the people countless thousands who Caribbean. In accordance with r ~~~~become HerullWosir for two this "manifest destiny," the city of . -- days under the blazing pow er of Port-of-Spain has shared its gift of _- _ SS ' . ": 'G '/ ' '' - B M Ra. And so carnival with London, New York, - r Aldrick felt a tallness and a Toronto, and many other cities of o - - h pride, felt his hair rise on his the North. head, felt: "No, this ain't no Washington, D.C., presents joke. This is warriors going to battle. This is the guts of great potenptial, for it is a city that the people, their blood, this is produced "go-go," a cultural the self of the people that expression that exactly parallels they screaming out theyteelb an kaiso of possess, that they scrimp and the and an kaiso f save and shore and work and Trinidad, the Colombian thief to drag out of the hard vallenaro, the Cuban son, and the rockstone and dirt to show the world they is people." marimba music of Ecuador, among others. Once steelband and Asa Montagnard, the kaiso belonged to the world Kemet at the dawn of recorded and is transfomned into a mystical protagonist in this author's first beyond the pale of respectability. time was the first carnival: a space, where women and men put novel, Sanni Mann itae (Wash- the world of the underclass, the religious drama danced out in the music before everything else. In ingtou, DC: Original Word world of "jamettes," of -'wabeen streets in which everyone, from accordance with- the timeless Press, 1994), like Aldrick, and grog and pan heating fine." the pharaoh to the comimoner, exhortation of the poet Charles occupies the carnival stage: Now steelband, kaiso, and participated. Baudelaire, 'Ji fout etr-e tou]ours This is we time, we road, we carnival are Trinidadian national As the gift of civilization iivre " (Be drunk all the time), they sta.ge, we thing, Borrokeets treasures. They have transformed spread from the Nile Valley to the are solemnly inebriated on wine/ get off the stage! You mad or no pi rest of the world. so too did the rum, poetry/soccer, and the virtuc it, we were mad, mad with has transformed them.- f- mother of all festivals. There were of a "recentered consciousness." the fullness of humanness, THE URMON AGE Cities in Films by Alcira Kreimer Alcira Kreimer is a principal evaluations specialist in the Operations Evaluation Department at the lVorld Bank. She has a Ph.D. in environ- mental planning and is an avid movie-goer. WASHINGTON D.C. If you provides props for action-store thousands of people who live single woman to establish a simal want to see the city of your windows are convenient mirrors underground and who work in business a noodle restaurant-i dreams, of your fantasies, of your to see what happens behind on the deprived conditions-to support Tokyo; or Do the Right Thing, nightmares, go to the movies. In street, and traffic bottlenecks are the "haves"-a small group of which shows conflicts between many films, the city is the perfect hiding places. people who lead a life of leisure the owners of a store in a ghetto protagonist. The city is the "star" Marseilles, on the other hand, above ground. Technology is also and the local youths who work in films like Asphalt Jungle, is a friendly Mediterranean city, a an evil force in Alphaville, a film there. Or take Wall Street, where Grand Canyon, Mi Vida Loca, Do city of open spaces, where the by Jean Luc Goddard, where the the city provides the support the Right Thing, Metropolis, City action takes place in broad main character, Lemy Caution, is system to promote greed and Hall, and Black Orpheus. Just as daylight. When the action moves a detective who tries to neutralize financial speculation. A more actors adapt their personality to to the third city, Washington, we the machinations of a scientist glamorous view is provided whet play different roles-Al Pacino is arrive in a monumental city, the who governs the city of the city is portrayed as a stage, as a Mafia boss in The Godfather, picture postcard city where the Alphaville with a computer. This in The Birdcage, where it is the and the mayor of New York in monuments organize the urban was obviously dreamed up before locus for the spectacle provided City Hall-cities are also rein- perspective. The Capitol, the everyone owned a portable by marginal lifestyles; and in vented to fit new personalities. In Washington Monument, the computer with access to the world Black Orpheus, where it is the City Hall, New York has a role as Lincoln Memorial are the through the Internet! Corruption stage for a joyous celebration prominent as its fictitious mayor, background to a centered space. is also a major issue in films turned into a nightmare in Rio de John Papas, as the Mafia boss Our journeys into cities about cities; witness City Hall, Janeiro; or in Fellini's Roma, (Danny Aiello), or as the deputy through films can follow a linear Chinatown, and The Untouch- where it is the setting for urban mayor (John Cusak). path or a topographic puzzle. In ables-or even A Taxing WFoman, drama and decadence. The VWhite Balloon, we follow a where a dedicated tax collector in The city as protagonist little girl's scarch for her dream (a Tokyo fights efforts by a group Movies manipulate urban fish) through the streets of a city with Mafia and gambling connec- images New York can be fun populated by shady characters tions to evade taxes. witness Breakfast at Tiffany's, like snake-channers, who seem In some films, like Roman Do we want to use this overwhelming (as Gotham City in threatening initially but who turn Holiday, cities are portrayed as powerful medium, film, as a Batman), dysfunctional (Bonfire out to be benevolent instead. Our mechanisms to achieve freedom. mechanism for urban education? of the Vanities), witty (Manhat- expectations of urban violence But other films portray the threats Do we agree with the abject and tan), a political machine (City turn out to be misplaced. The city to personal freedom posed by decrepit image of Calcutta in The Hall), and (almost) a small town is a cocoon that protects the little urban life. Freedom here is City of God, with the oppressive in (Smoke). To reinvent cities, girl's dream. The accent here is understood in the sense described quality of London's West End in films select and emphasize certain on drift, sequence, and continuity. by Jane Jacobs concerning the use Shirley Valentine? In this issue ol aspects of urban life and obliterate But our journey into cities can of streets and sidewalks as The Urban Age, we are celebrat- others. Thrillers and gangster also start with a panoramic elements of civility. Think about ing urban life. To support it, we films highlight obsolete and perspective as in La Dolce Vita, the cars in Jacques Tati' s Traffic, need to understand how images dysfunctional settings; they bring where the opening shot shows a or the drive-through ghetto streets are created and disseminated by action to demolished buildings; helicopter with a large statue of in Bonfire of the Vanities, of the films, what is the stock of take us for walks in streets at Christ flying over Rome. Or City very threatening nature of urban attitudes about urban life that are night full of mysterious fumes, Hall, where New York is first technology in Truffaut's Fahren- either created or reinforced by thi and through vacant lots strewn seen from the aerial perspective of heit 451. All those films depict medium, and what types of with debris. The French Connec- skyscrapers, of City Hall, of urban settings that are mecha- stereotypes are created. After all, tion showcases three cities: New Gracie Mansion. nisms to reduce personal freedom. we live in a global culture and a York, Marseilles, and Washing- The very grim and daunting view global village. We might as well ton. It provides an image of Technology and films of Tirana in L'America portrays use, as well as learn from, the American cities as wild, urban threats to personal freedom in a media. E jungles. New York is sinister. It is Technology can create city ravaged by a totalitarian a labyrinth, a game of mirrors and threatening cities. In Metropolis, political regime. of hiding places. In Brooklyn, the the film Fritz Lang dreamed about Urban employment and types action is framed by empty lots, while visiting New York in 1924, of production are not glamorous freeways, bridges, subways, there is a sinister robot, the minror subjects, but they are nonetheless traffic, and fumes. The city, image of a young woman who portrayed in films like Tampopo; through its urban fumiture, tries to liberate the "have-nots"- which describes the efforts of a THE URON ROGE Celebrating Urban Life: Searching for a Livable City by Diego Carrion Diego Carrion is the director of CIUDAD, a research center, and a lecturer on the faculty of architecture and design at ihe Central University of Ecuador. lb QUITO. Between the 13th and But there was also a deliberate be humanized. This means the participation of practically all the 18th of November, 1995, a accent during the festival on the making it more democratic so the community in finding solu- Latin American and Caribbean fun-loving aspects of urban life, that ordinary people, and tions to their own particular festival was organized in Quito, with participants enjoying them- especially a city's most vulner- problems-and a high degree of Ecuador, entitled "Searching for a selves at plays, films, concerts, able inhabitants-poor women solidarity between members of Livable City." firework displays, and dances. and their children, the unem- the community in helping each It was attended by over 1,000 ployed, and old and handicapped other. people who exchanged views on How to make a city livable people can also have access to about 300 case studies in Latin all the positive things a city Participation improves urban America on how the urban During the festival, delegates offers and have the opportunity environment problem has been tackled by prepared a manifesto on the basic to express and develop their governments, municipalities, non- rights and requirements for making different cultures. In other Such social, participatory governmental organizations, and a city livable and ftm to live in; this words, as well as material programs are now universally grassroots organizations. In the will also be presented in Istanbul. provisions, what makes a city recognized as being one of the most effective ways for poor people to improve their living 4 conditions. In fact, in Latin America and the Caribbean, as a a _ << j result of such grassroots endeav- ors, more houses, urban services, and cultural facilities have been 2 1. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~constructed than in any other urban policy or planning program ! 4 wZ_ - N ->ii , yE 5i>by architects, governments, the state, or the private sector. The manifesto says that in most cases, such popular efforts have succeeded thanks to the _30MOMMfRW assistance and advice provided by qualified technicians and ex- perts-who often provided their work free of charge. Because such social/conitnu- nty endeavors work, the mani- festo wams, this does not mean Building livcable cities is crucial for the next ration - - . that the stare should opt out of ItS responsibilities toward the urban - - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~poor. tnstead, what is needed is course of the festival, the views of The manifesto emphasizes the livable is cultural and demo- that poor people and poor the participants were summarized importance of providing poor cratic freedoms and the communities should have a say on a huge panel that became the people with the material conditions possibility of engaging in both, and participate in the way centerpiece of the event. The for living, such as houses; basic declares the manifesto. decisions are made regarding the panel is also going to be one of services like piped water and The manifesto further design and building of their the Latin American region's chief electricity supplies, sewage, and emphasizes that in the vast homes. The state, the private exhibits at the United Nations's transport; as well as paved and lit majority of experiences so far, sector, and community organiza- forthcoming Summit on Cities to streets, squares, and parks. How- low-income communities in tions should cooperate and take place in Istanbul in June. ever, the manifesto also under- Latin America and the Carib- collaborate more closely in Indeed, the festival itself was a scores that such provisions are not bean have resolved their urban finding participatory, creative, prelude to this world confcrcnce. enough. problems largely on their own, and just solutions to the urban All aspects of urban develop- developing popular, grassroots problem in Latin America. ment in Latin America were Democratizing our cities initiatives to build and maintain declares the manifesto. And, it discussed at the festival in their houses and basic services. adds, such a collaborative workshops and various groups. To make a city livable, it must The key to such programs was effort is vital. al THE URBAR RGE - - - - il - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -= The Second Inter-American Conference of Mayors: An Emerging Policy Agenda for Local Government MIAMI. This April, 350 to 30 percent of public spending-a nongovernmental organiza- participation in city govern- A people-including 95 may- significant proportion of gross tions-all of whom are con- ment have received recogni- ors-from throughout North, domestic product. cemed with the improvement of tion throughout Latin American- Central, and South America, The profound political shift that municipal management in the spoke of the "responsibility we a] participated in the Second Inter- has created a democratic transition region. Between attending have to manage the public trust." American Conference of Mayors. means that virtually every mayor panels such as "Economic One way to do this was suggestec Their work here focused on the and council person is elected-in Incentives for a Sustainable by Mayor Carlos Filizzola of premise that decentralization will more than 13,000 units of local, Environment" and "Local Ascunsion, Paraguay: he said only be effective and sustainable intermediate, and state govern- Government Management ways for the state to reach out to if subnational institutions are ments. This new power has given Capacity," and networking the new civil society should be strengthened. credibility to mayors to play an sessions such as "Building sought by creating a new "open- The chairman of the Metro increased role in civic affairs. Partnerships for International ness of information sharing" Dade County Board of Commis- Trade," the participants came to between the two sectors. sioners, Arthur E. Teele, Jr., Conference aim: Strengthen make new contacts, refresh old Other important messages opened the conference by subnational institutions to acquaintances, and-in the emerged from the conference: referring to the "Spirit of Miami" support decentralization words of one participant-"find * Mayors are not working President Clinton had invoked at resources and funding." alone. They must work together, the November 1994 Summit of The conference was designed to Much of the "business" of the sharing ideas and experiences. the Americas. At that summit, the provide an opportunity for mayors conference was carried out in * Municipalities must coordi- president had underlined the throughout the hemisphere to share informal meetings in the nate with central government ove importance of "continuing to their experiences, discuss their hallways. In this way, the allocation of resources and police invest in local governments." Mr. common issues and problems, and conference provided a forum for setting. Teele noted extraordinary learn how others have dealt with building new partnerships * Coordination between centra progress-a "new era of coopera- those concerns arising from among the private sector, government and municipalities is tion and improved relationship" decentralization and electoral nongovernmental organizations, essential to promote innovation. between municipalities and reform. and local community groups. By * Municipalities must empowe central govermments since the By capitalizing on recognition creating an informal network of residents to build on local First Inter-American Conference of the importance of decentraliza- knowledgeable professionals in initiatives. of Mayors in November 1994. tion and democratization, the event the region willing to share - The voice of civil society is promoted debate about some of the experiences and resources, these crucial to the continuing process Historical background- traditional challenges facing cities partnerships will help address of decentralization and electoral Decentralization and demo- such as economic development two crucial issues underlined at reform. cratic transition (specifically, economic growth the conference: dealing with the But perhaps the most impor- through trade, and the economic shortfall in the efficient provi- tant, overarching message heard Reform of the role of the state and entrepreneurial role of the sion of urban services and at the conference was a statement and a transition to wholesale made by a participant during a democracy have led the Latin S comments session: "We all have; American and Caribbean region responsibility to stay close and to grapple with the issue of listen to the people." C decentralization, as the power of local authorities has been -Margaret Berge, strengthened over the last ten years. By way of context, it The Second Inter-American should be noted that 75 percent of - Conference of Mayors was this region is urbanized, and 120 convened under the sponsorship million people live below the of the World Bank. the Organiza- poverty line. tion ofAmerican States, the Inter Today, the strength of local American Development Bank, the authorities is broadly accepted. municipality in a global economy); improving the living conditions U.S. Agency for International Spending responsibilities have the environment of the urban poor; of the poor. Development, and The Inter- shifted to local governments, and the role of the municipality in American Foundation, in collabo backed by automatic revenue the development of civil society. Conference highlights ration with FEMICA and Florida transfers which in some cases The gathering brought together International University. The double, and even quadruple, city local government executives and Tarso Genro, mayor of Porto conference was hosted by Metro revenues. Many local govern- officials, national government Alegre, Brazil-whose pro- Dade County. ments are now responsible for 10 officials, and representatives from grams to increase citizen THE URDRN AGE -_s lnrnK I- -- _ - - -- We actively seek oUr' developing conitly readers' input for this section. Our intention is to facilitate networking among developing count7y city managers and their constituents. ANDHRA PRADESH VOLUNTARY HEALTH The institute has just released Transportation Cost Analyzer, a ASSOCIATION Windows software program that evaluates transportation activity, costs, and benefits. It is the first software program to incorporate Contact: M R. Arulraja, Executive Secretary, Andhra Pradesh Volun- full transportation costs, including environmental and social tary Health Association, 157/6, Gun Rock Enclave West Staff'Road, impacts. Secunderabad-500 009, Andhra Pradesh, India. The program estimates user costs, government expenses, and enviromental and social costs from specific travel activities. It can The Andhra Pradesh Voluntarv Health Association (APVHA) is a estimate and compare costs for different transport modes, policies, and secular, nonprofit association of hospitals, health centers, dispensaries, plans. Once costs and other input values are selected, Cost Analyzer and developmental organizations and associate members. APVHA's calculates the total cost per passenger mile (or kilometer) for each primary objectives are to promote community health, social justice, and mode. Results can be used to determine savings from a reduction in human rights related to the provision and distribution of health services trips or a mode shift, and the distributions of costs between users and in the region. society. Through its information and documentation center, APVHA has links with over 200 grassroots-level member organizations and their community health programs. CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION COMN UNITY DEVELOPMENT Contact: Via Monte Zebio, 32-00195 Rome, Italy. Tel: 0039-6- CORPORATION ORAL IUSTORY PROJECT 320 1375, fax: 0039-6-3221218. Contact: Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environmental The Center for Research and Documentation (CERFE) is a social Development, 379 DeKalb Avenue, Steulben Hall, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, research institute, based in Rome, that has been operating in Italy and NY11205, USA. Tel: 718-636-3486,fax: 718-636-3709. abroad since the 1970s. CERFE is a nonproft association, formed to promote and support scientific research on development focusing on It is estimated that there are over 3,000 community development social and cultural change; to promote and implement development corporations (CDCs) located throughout the United States. Now that assistance programs; to promote dialogue and solidarity among peoples the field is established and a new generation of leaders has emerged, and cultures, within the framework of East-West and North-South the Pratt Institute Center for Community and Environmental Develop- relations; and to provide professional and scientific training to research- ment (PICCED) has documented the movement's early history and ers and scholars in the social sciences field. original mission. PICCED is a university-based technical assistance and training organization that has assisted in the creation of many CDCs. With the Ceara Proiect ABarded U.N. Prize support and encouragement of the Ford Foundation. PICCED initiated ---------------------- an oral history project to describe the founding of the CDC movement This project appeared in the Februarv 1995 issue of The Urban Age, from the perspective of its founding leaders. Information and Cities, Vol. 3, No: 1. In-depth videotaped interviews werc conducted with the founders A program for the improvement offavelas (shantytowns) involving 400 ,dldro19DscoshUieSaeI i, Ppoor neighborhoods in Fortaleza (capital of the state of Ceara) was chosen to and leaders of 19 CDCs across the United States. In addition, PICCED receive an "Award of Excellence in Improving the Living Environment" by has produced Building Hope, a one-hour video documentary; and an international jury as one of the 12 best projects presented worldwide written a series of brief profiles on many of the CDCs included in the during Habitat It, which will take place in Turkey in June. The Fortaleza oral history project and the documentary. program was classified by the conmmittee as having adopted "a holistic strategy which focuses human and material aspects in the rehabilitation of PICCED's intent is to provide commTunity development practition- 400,favelas." ers, educators, researchers, and the general public with a body of This community experience has been developed in Ceara by the Cearah materials that will foster a better understanding of the impact and Periferia and by GRET (Research and Technology Exchange Group), both importance of the communitv development movement. nongovemmental organizations, in conjunction with the state governuent and five prefectures. It is divided into five projects, and should benefit, by the end of 1996, 1,500 dwellings (12,500 persons) and generate approxi- mately 500 jobs. VICTORIA TRANSPORT POLICY INSTITUTE The first initiative, named Mutirao 50, conceived and put into effect by GRET, began in 1988 with the construction of 50 houses in the periphery of Contact: Todd Litnian, Victoria Transport Policy Institute, 1250 Rudlin Fortaleza. (Mutirao means working together, involving the whole cormnu- nity and for the benefit of the conmnunity.) A village was built up which had Street, Victoria, British Columbia, V8 V 3R 7, Canadla. Telephone and running water and sewers, a commercial center, a daycare center, and a shed fax: 604-360-1560. for training purposes. By using altemative technology, the cost of the houses was reduced by 50 percent. According to GRET, each house is 30 The Victoria Transport Policy Institute's goal is to develop practical square meters and costs approximately US$1,000 to build. tools for incorporating social and environmental values into transporta- From News of Brazil, supplied by SEJUP (Ser7icio Brasileiro de Justica e tion decisionmaking. The institute is dedicated to innovative research Paz). and analysis. THE UR3HN HCE A.,,,, IOQC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Cities of the World: World Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and Sao arcades. Even the suburban one neighborhood to another. Thi Regional Urban Paulo; in Mexico, in Mexico City, shopping malls that are a feature permanence of residence that is a Development Puebla, and Veracruz; and in of American life-and which are the core of European city life has Development Egypt in Alexandria and Cairo. now spreading to Europe-have always been absent in American by Stanley D. Brunn and Jack And what will the new global roots that go back to the 12th cities. The author contends that i F. Williams. HarperCollins city look like? One new architec- century, to the covered stalls of constant change is the hallmark o College Publishers. 10 East 53rd tural form may be expanded Cheapside or the great halls of American urban history. Street, ATew York, NY 10022, domed enclosures to the point Flanders; their inmnediate 1993. where an entire city is enclosed in precedent was a shopping center The Cultural Meaning of a climate-controlled dome. But in Kansas City built in 1923. Urban Space The huge range of this book that kind of city, the authors covers the cities of developing concede, will exist in a post- City Life: Urban by Robert Rotenberg and Gary and industrial countries, begin- petroleum age. Expectations in a New MlcDonogh, Bergin and Garvey, ning with the earliest cities on Wold 88 Post Road West, Westpoint, record in Cities and People CT 0688], 1993. C lYl lE§iildX Mesopotanmia by Witold Rybezynski. Scribner, in 4000 B.C. by Mark Girourard. Yale Univer- 1230 Avenue of the Americas, Over the The book sity Press, New Haven and NVew York, NY 10020, 1985. last20 v F If is addresses London, 1985. years, the two basic In this book, New World towns- meaning oi issues What The author of this book says there the cities of the United States and urban spac makes cities is nothing new about cities being Canada-are contrasted with the has been grow, and in a state of flux, as they are cities of Europe. Tn Europe, the studied by what is a global city. Regarding today; the only difference is that author says, cities, or at least their l anthropolo the stimuli behind a city's the flux now is more dramatic essential characters, were often gists, social psychologists, development, the authors claim than before. Consider the present- planned and fixed architecturally, architects, and city planners. But that, from the fall of the Roman day troubles of textile towns in often by the novelty of this book is that it Empire right up to the 1 7th New England in the United emperors brings together much of this century, European cities grew States, and in the north of and kings. research, possibly for the first slowly or completely stagnated. England. They are losing trade to The ccnter time ever. Armed with examples This was because throughout this Japan and Korea, just as Flemish of Paris is a from Asia. Latin America, North period, towns were isolated from towns once lost trade to Italy or classic America, and Europe, the book each other and forced to be self- England in the Middle Ages. example. asks questions about the relation- sufficient if they were to survive. Other cities' troubles stem not ' '"g "" Its Renais- ship of space to power, and about By contrast, history shows that from economic decline but from Witold R y-b y-is k i sance and the attitudes of city-dwellers to whenever there is interaction and too much prosperity which is Baron Haussman character- space. For instance, in Japan, the trade between towns and the bound to attract poor immigrants consisting of elegant residential hokomachi, or castle town, of adjacent countryside, urban wk in large and public buildings and squares: Hikone straddles a bill overlook- growth takes place. numbers. Place de l'Etoile, Place de la ing a town; and the castle is Meanwhile, global links As a result, Concorde, Arc de Triomphe, and considered the permanent point o: between cities started with there are wide boulevards-is unchanged reference-a fixed symbol changes in transport and commu- shantytowns despite recent additions such as overlooking the changing, nications when railways, airlines, - on the edge Centre Pompidou or expressways evolving urban community below automobiles, and telephones r-> of Brasilia along the River Seine. By Another distinctive urban place replaced horses, stagecoaches, and contrast, the author says, return- which, unlike the castle, is not an and the carrier pigeon. The next Bombay ing to a U.S. or a Canadian city emblem of political power, but of development, the authors say, will today, just as there were after about 30 years, one is struck space that has a social use-is the lead to urban corridors-in wvhich shantytowns on the edge of by how much has changed. plaza in Spanish and American primary, secondary, and tertiary Jacobean London or Third Empire Indeed, the building and rebuild- cities, which may be of pre- towns and regional centers form a Paris in the past. The difference, ing of North American cities since Colombian origin or of Spanish vast continuum where people, raw though, is that today the slums are the 1950s demonstrates how colonial design. Yet a third materials, finished products, and so much bigger. much New World cities are in distinctive urban space is that services are exchanged in a Meanwhile, even the modern flux, and how much city planning constructed for or by school multitude of places or nodes city of today is not that modern. is affected by fashion. This children. In Belize, at one end of linked by one form of transport or Practically all the architectural fleeting, temporary quality of the spectrum, high schools are another. These regional and features that are commonplace in planning in U.S. cities fits in with formal, regimented, clearly national urban corridors are cities built after World War II the American people's own defined spaces. But at the other occurring in industrial countries existed before 1939: skyscrapers, restlessness and desire to move end of the spectrum, "school like Britain and the United States; low-density suburbs, and covered around-not just from one part of space" may be a street corner, an in southeast Brazil in Rio de and underground shopping the country to another, but from alleyway, or a house porch. THE URGON RGE Aff- 70(n4 r~~---------------------------------- = : I Below is a selection of urban events and trainiing courses cuiledfrom The Urban Age 's current files. We atre not always able to list events more than once, given space limitations. Please refer to past issues of The Urban Age for additional events scheduled in 1996. Send your announce- ments to: The Editor, The Urban Age. Room S6-147, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street, NW, WTashington, DC 20433, LISA. Fax: 202-522- 3232; e-mail: mbergen@worldbank.org Conferences Wassenaarseweg, 2596 CG The Hague, The Netherlands. Fax: 31- _70-328-2085. On June 4 at The Marmara Hotel, Istanbul, a Habitat II Dia- San Jose, Costa Rica-October 21-26, 1996. World Congress on Air logue, Finance and Cities in the 21st Century, will take place Pollution in Developing Countries. Contact: J. Gruetter, ProEco, from 10:00am to 6:00pm. This event, organized by the World Apdo. 2105 San Salvador. El Salvador. Tel: 503-224-0514, fax: 503- Bank and co-sponsored by a group of public and private organiza- 223-7826. tions and NGOs, will discuss issues of urban finance at the community, city, national, and international levels. A distinguished Education Programs and Courses group of practitioners will participate. Tickets will be available at the Marmara Hotel the day before the event. Reservations can be requested by faxing J. Howley at 202-522-3232. Stockholm, Sweden-The Swedish lnternational Development Cooperation Agency, in cooperation with the Royal Institute of Technology, will offer an advanced international training program on Vancouver, Canada-June 29-July 3, 1996. International Credit Urban Land Management, August 19-October 4, 1996. The program Union Forum: Diverse Voices in Concert. Contact: 1997 Forum will teach the basic principles of urban land management and alterna- Registration, World Council of Credit Unions, P.O. Box 2982, tive methodologies. Contact: CITEC. Land Management Program, Madison, WI, 53701-2982, USA. Tel: 608-231-7130; fax: 608-238- Kungliga Tekniska Hogskolan, S-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel: 46- 8020. 8-790-96-54; fax: 46-8-20-37-16; e-mail: ashraf@,citec.kth.se New Delhi, India-September 9-13, 1996. Water, Engineering, and Development Centre Conference: Reaching the Unreaches- Challenges of the 21st Century. Contact: Professor John Pickford, WEDC, Loughborough University of Technology, Leicestershire LEIl I - British Council International Seminar 3TU, U.K. Tel: 44-1509-22-2390: fax: 44-1509-21-1079. : Action planning and urban Strasbourg, France-October 6-9, 1996. The First European management: urban upgrading (9677) Conference of the International Association of Transportation 8-18 September 1996 Oxford Regulators: Conference on Passenger Transportation by Directed by Nabeel Hamdi 0 Automobile. Contact: IATR, 4949. rue Molson, Montreal, Quebec, Fee: £1,690 (residential) 0 H1Y 3H6, Canada. Tel: 514-280-6600; fax: 514-280-6596. Low-cost housing design and Arusha, Tanzania-October 16-21, 1996. Eighth International technology (9664) Congress of the World Federation of Public Health Associations. 10-16 November 1996 Birmingham Contact: WFPHA Secretariat, c/o APHA, 1015 15th Street. NW, Suite * Directed by Dr Mohsen Aboutorabi 0 300, Washington, DC 20005, USA. Tel: 202-789-5696- fax: 202-789- Fee: £1,290 (residential) 5681; e-mail: diane.kuntz@msmail.apha.org * Environmental education: from policy to practice (6007) Jerusalem, Israel-October 13-16, 1996. Migration and the Global * Economy: Planning Responses to Disintegrating Patterns and 2rto by March 1996 Shrewsbury Frontiers. Contact: ORTRA Ltd., 2 Kaufman Street (Textile Center), Directed by Justin Dillon and James Hindson *Fee: £1,750 (residential) P.O. Box 50432, 61500 Tel Aviv. Israel. Tel: 03-5 177888; fax: 03- * For further information contact: Marketing Manager, International 0 5174433; e-mail: ortra@trendline.co.il * Seminars, The British Coundl, 1 Beaumont Place, Oxford OX1 2PJ, * UK Telephone: +44(0)1865 316636. Fax: +44(0)1865 57368/516590. * E-mail: International.Seminars@britcoun.org 0 Cairo, Egypt-October 13-17, 1996. New Urban Communities: Past * (Programme details are subject to amendment. For a full prospectus * E please contact Marketing Manager, quoting the seminar number in Experiences and Reponses to the Future. Contact: International all correspondence). Urban Development Association, INTA Secretariat. Nassau al correspondence). i Dillenburgstraat 44, NL-2596 AE, The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel: 0 000*000* Th1lle 31-70-324-4526, fax: 31-70-328-0727. * 0000000 ° eee °X* 0 : 0*0 *** * ritisn * 0000000 Coi0~ Sendai City, MIYAGI Prefecture, Japan-October 14-17, 1996. * 0 0 000 Council0: International Federation for Housing and Planning 1996 World 0 The BEntish Co i, registered in England a charity no. 209131, is Britain's 0 * international network for education, culture and technology 0 Conference.Contact: IFHPCongrcssDcpartment,43 THE uRAAN RGE 11fn, TOOK TIE NEW ASIAN CITY CULTURAL TOURISM continuedfrom page 8 continuedfrom page 9 (train de grand vitesse) that the Historical perspective identifying other investment An even more imaginative mayor dreams of importing. The opportunities. endeavor was the museum's city is a cross between an old How can we make sense of * Tourism is an industry in its collection of wax figures based Soviet propaganda film in this urban maelstrom that is own right that offers opportunities Madame Tussaud's in London. rj.J which heroic peasants move changing the lives of countless for joint ventures with Western These include the family of the mountains by hand, and the millions? Perhaps a historical companies. czars, the literary greats of Russ: 19th century Canadian Yukon perspective can provide the * Foreign tourism gives and politicians like Trotsky. gold rush: There is a constant answer to these changes. In the museums the opportunity to start Housed in a palace, the crash of explosions as hillsides 19th century, Manchester, developing themselves as small Museum of Hygiene is a rela- are blasted away to make new England, was the Zhuhai, the businesses, by producing souve- tively small museum funded airports, new highways, and new Jakarta, the Shanghai, of its day. nirs and other museums products, through St. Petersburg's educa- railways. The fields meanwvhile The city was both horrifying in its which may be made locally or in tion department. Its purpose is are full of men chipping away at squalor and exhilarating in its partnership with foreigners. health education. And the blocks of stone. vitality. What made its effect so Let us consider three of the museum's highlight is the origin In Zhuhai City, teenage whores powerful and glamorously lesser known museums. stuffed Pavlovian dogs. parade outside the chrome and alarming was that it seemed to The Museum of the History of The Kunstkamera museum hi glass hotels every night, and represent the future. Political Tdeas, formerly the an extraordinary collection of haunt the food courts in the The world was both riveted Museum of the Great October Peter the Great's curios and shopping malls by day. This is the and appalled in a way that we can Socialist Revolution, changed its grotesqueries. Peter the Great shape of our urban future, just as only begin to appreciate fully as identity after the collapse of used to offer rewards for human much as Silicon Valley, but it is the current cities of Asia undergo Communism. It changed its name or animal monsters. The specimr still a raw, violent place. the vertigo-inducing urban flux and redesigned the display of its had to be preserved in vinegar o: Great fortunes are being made similar to that of the industrial collection. It also started display- vodka. Among the specimens or here, which may account for the revolution. Asia's vast new cities ing collections that had been display are Siamese twins, a twc fact that China is now the largest are becoming-just as Britain's hidden since before the Russian faced man, and a two-headed ca: importer of French brandy in the once were-gigantic mechanisms Revolution. The future success of museur world. Great wealth means that for the creation and structure of Exhibitions have included one in Eastern Europe and Russia there are checkpoints every 10 wealth and the transformation of on life under the czars, and others relies on a combination of kilometers on the highway from rural migrants into city-dwellers on issues such as banking in St. imagination, creativity, and savx Guangzhou to Zhuhai to keep out for the next millenium. Petersburg combining current and marketing. As these three little- poor Chinese migrants. It is almost impossible to historic material on banking in the known museums demonstrate, Those who are allowed in imagine what these new monster city. This exhibition was spon- almost anything can be achieved come as unskilled laborers and cities will be like when they sored by a Russian bank and was endure conditions that would have mature. They are now places of the museum's first major sponsor- been familiar to the Irish workers extraordinary vitality and eco- ship deal. who built the canals and railways nornic potential. They must be during the British industrial guided well, for within them lie revolution. They flocked here to not only the seeds of success build the Zhuhai International but also of catastrophe. } ifAXdi :iset Airport designed to handle 1 2 (0dlSThe ne=xt issue of The rhbaneAge will foeus on the results of ite Habiltat I million passengers. tySummfift in Istanbu. Welook forbwardto receiving your comments and thou ghsona;tis upconing issue. Photo credits: page 5 ('Suchitato,): Jaun Darsie; page 6 (Mliami): Margaret Bergen; pages 10-11: Camilo Jose Vergara; page 13: Philip Wolmuth/Panos Pictures; page 15 (Quito): iMichael G. Kent; page 16 (Newsline): Margaret Bergen. -._mr , r =C; -.rrrsffl ' i1 TheUo3rban Age is ,published four A mi -beayoara4dis 'bei ' free Of charge. Developed counitry - I ~~~~~~~~~~~suibscribers are charged US$20.00 .<~~~fl~~~%~~~+sv ~~~~-j/S ~~~~%~~~u ] an~fnally. F iormifnation [ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ JTh~~~~~~~~~~hth~~~~~~~~~~ ~~regarding'adertsing ontact tel {v>< ~~~~~~~-'~~~~t ~ ~ ~ ~ ---t~~~~~~;t~~~~'~~~ I ~~ TheW UrdbanAgeiprouped 1byS m S , I nc., ongrecycled paperusing s fflffi- .Iqa Ta U-grcbased i rnks. THE ORHON RGE .1 x -7 -U