Absence Quote by Howard Mansfield
“We have everywhere an absence of memory. Architects sometimes talk of building with context and continuity in mind, religious leaders call it tradition, social workers say it's a sense of community, but it is memory we have banished from our cities. We have speed and power, but no place. Travel, but no destination. Convenience, but no ease.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Memory of Cities, 2010
Modern urban life lacks historical continuity, leading to a sense of dislocation despite technological advancement.
In simple terms: Cities forget their past, causing emptiness.
Key Takeaway
Preserve memory to enrich urban life.
Themes
urbanism
memory
continuity
modernity
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
sociological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- city planning
- community building
- historical preservation
- urban design
Key Concepts
architecture
sociology
cultural heritage
Questions to Reflect On
- How can cities balance progress with heritage?
- What role does collective memory play in community identity?
A Different Perspective
Rapid change can erase valuable traditions.
![“The [commercial] strip is marketed with the come-on of comfort (the Comfort Inn) and with the promise of a home on the road, a home where nobody knows your name and they're glad to see you as long as you can pay. The strip lives in the contradiction of the name Home Depot—domesticity on a…” quote by Howard Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ce/howard-mansfield-57797_architecture_the-commercial-strip-is-marketed-with-th_835423.jpg)
