Cities Quote by Paul Goldberger
“On New York subways in the 1980s: Riding on the IRT is usually a matter of serving time in one of the city's most squalid environments-noisy, smelly, crowded and overrun with a ceaseless supply of graffiti.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New York Times, 1980s subway description
Subway travel in 1980s NYC was harsh, dirty, noisy, and covered in graffiti, reflecting urban decay.
In simple terms: 1980s NYC subways were grim and chaotic.
Key Takeaway
Expect gritty urban environments.
Themes
urban decay
public transit
history
Mood
nostalgic
gritty
Type
descriptive
historical
When to use this quote
- commuting
- historical research
- city planning
- tourism
Key Concepts
sociology
urban studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How have subways changed since?
- What does graffiti say about city culture?
A Different Perspective
Modern subways may be cleaner, making this less relatable.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
