by Rick Davidson | December 1, 1968
The history of urban man is punctuated by his inhumanity to his fellow man which began, I imagine, when he first kicked his brother from the cave. The only difference between then and now seems to be that the cave has grown in size and complexity. Man is still keeping his brother from enjoying the warmth and security that cave life offers. We need look no farther than Venice and its relationship to Los Angeles to witness our contemporary parallel.
The planning departments, highway departments and politicians combine with land speculators to form the master planners by whom local destinies are determined. The slogan, “ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE,” symbolizes the urban struggle. It makes little difference to which minority one belongs, for all in the way of the speculator must go. “But wait!” we hear, “Our planning department does consider us. They have presented three plans for our consideration.” The insidious reality of this approach is that all three plans relate to physical planning: zoning, freeways, rapid transit, parks and beaches, but nothing is said about whom the plans are for–nothing. Not one of the plans speaks to the question: who will live here to enjoy and benefit from the plans?
There is nothing that talks of rent; there is nothing that talks of taxes, and there is nothing that talks of the cost of living relative to the new plans. Yet, to many of Venice’s minorities these are key factors. If rents go up, some must leave. If taxes go up, some must leave. And if the cost of living in general goes up (without consideration), still others must leave. The dollar (with fear and greed as the motivating forces) is the contemporary club that expels our brothers from the cave.
If America is to solve her urban problems, human concern must be built into the abstract designs our planners offer us. Toward this end my next article will be directed.
