Built Quote by Claude Levi-Strauss
“In the case of European towns, the passing of centuries provides an enhancement; in the case of American towns, the passing of years brings degeneration. It is not simply that they have been newly built; they were built so as to be renewable as quickly as they were put up, that is, badly.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Structural Study of Myth, 1955
European towns age gracefully, while American towns often decay quickly due to poor, disposable construction.
In simple terms: European towns improve with time; American towns often deteriorate.
Key Takeaway
Build with durability and adaptability.
Themes
urban design
architecture
history
culture
durability
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- city development
- heritage preservation
- construction standards
- policy making
Key Concepts
renewability
urban decay
planning philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What design choices promote long‑term resilience?
- How does culture affect building practices?
A Different Perspective
Economic pressures can force cheap, short‑term building choices.
![“The mind in its foolishness thinks that it is working in this body. Why should I be bound by one system of nerves, and put the Ego only in one body, if the mind is omnipresent? There is no reason why I should.[Source] The root of that degeneration is egotism - to think that one is just as great as…” quote by Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c0f/swami-vivekananda-53_body_the-mind-in-its-foolishness-thinks-that_340144.jpg)
