when America entered the era of the automobile, there was…
““when America entered the era of the automobile, there was a noticeable tendency for the affluent of American cities to build their homes on the east side of town rather than the west. This occurred when it was noticed that with this arrangement, the motorist had the sun behind him and not blazing in his eyes when he drove to work in the morning, and behind him again when he drove home at night. But why this notion should have persisted in Manhattan to the present day—when hardly any New Yorkers drive themselves to and from work—is unclear. Compared with the airy views available to those who live on unfashionable Central Park West, those who live on the East Side’s fashionable Park Avenue live along a boring, airless tunnel of granite and glass, where apartment buildings merely look at one another.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Affluent New Yorkers historically chose east‑side homes to avoid sun glare while driving, a habit persisting despite low car use, leading to less scenic, tunnel‑like streets compared with west‑side vistas.
In simple terms: Rich people chose east side to avoid sun while driving, creating dull streets.
Key Takeaway
Consider how outdated habits shape urban design.
Themes
urban planning
social habits
architecture
geography
historical trends
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- city planning
- real estate decisions
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
Sun orientation
class preference
urban aesthetics
traffic patterns
Questions to Reflect On
- How do historic preferences affect current city layouts?
- What design changes could improve east‑side street experience?
A Different Perspective
Modern car‑free lifestyles make the original reason irrelevant.