Architect Quote by Keller Easterling
“Architects and urbanists are fascinated with cities that are shrinking, like the Rust Belt cities. Or, alternatively, we are fascinated with the growth of favelas and informal settlements. The 2008 financial crisis made these changes more extreme. The subtraction protocols rehearse a way of thinking about multiple properties in counterbalancing interdependence - not just the shaping of one property but the ratcheting interplay between properties.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Existence: A New Spatial Politics by Keller Easterling, 2018
Cities can be studied as systems where shrinking and expanding processes reveal interdependent social, economic, and spatial dynamics.
In simple terms: Cities show linked growth and decline patterns.
Key Takeaway
Consider how multiple forces shape urban change.
Themes
urbanism
spatial politics
interdependence
growth
decline
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
theoretical
analytical
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- policy analysis
- community development
- housing strategy
Key Concepts
systems thinking
counterbalancing
ratcheting interplay
Questions to Reflect On
- How do different urban forces interact?
- What policies balance growth and shrinkage?
A Different Perspective
Complex interdependencies can be hard to predict and manage.
