Aesthetic Quote by Sharon Zukin
“I think that there is a middle-class desire, and maybe an almost universal desire, among many human beings to live in clean neighborhoods, among people like themselves, around people with whom they feel comfortable. That can be exclusive, it could be exclusionary. It could be racist, classist, genocidal, and so on. Most people like comfort. Now what provides a sense of comfort varies. I do think that people who like living in cities like small-scale human interaction and they like the social dimensions of aesthetic diversity that Jane Jacobs wrote about.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs, 1961
People seek comfortable, homogenous neighborhoods, which can lead to exclusionary attitudes and systemic bias.
In simple terms: Comfort drives people toward similar surroundings, often excluding others.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge comfort‑based bias.
Themes
community
exclusion
urban sociology
comfort
bias
Mood
reflective
critical
concerned
Type
sociological
observational
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- neighborhood activism
- housing policy
- community building
Key Concepts
social identity
place attachment
systemic inequality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your sense of comfort influence your view of others?
- What steps can reduce exclusion in neighborhoods?
A Different Perspective
Comfort can mask harmful exclusionary practices.
