The Eternal City: On Urban Ecology

Published on June 04, 2009 by Discussion Cafe

Discussion Resource:
BookForum.com | June/July/August 2009
"The Eternal City"
Despite New Yorkers' powerful nostalgia for the Gotham-that-was, the city's urban ecology has always thrived on change.
By Philip Nobel

Discussion Questions:

1. Many New Yorkers feel a deep and personal connection to their city. How does the city in which you live affect how you feel about your own life? Do you feel as passionately about your city as these authors feel about NYC? Why or why not?
2. What is the general "personality" of your city? What five words best describe your city? What are some of the stigmas associated with your city? Are they true or false?
3. What are some of the most inspiring and rehumanizing areas of your city? What are some of the most uninspiring and dehumanizing?
4. Which of the arts seem to be thriving in your city? Which seem to be missing or underrepresented?
5. This article features three books about New York, in which the authors are telling stories (historical and personal) about their city. How long have you lived there? Why do you live there? What do you love about your city? How are you affecting the general climate of your city? Share a story about your life in your city.

(NOTE: It is suggested that you tackle a few, but probably not all of, the following. In a group of 3-10, it is likely that one or two of these questions can result in the conversation taking off on it's own. Let it! These are merely here to help steer the conversation when needed.)

(This article was the source material for the June 3 IAM New York Wednesday Morning Discussion Group.)