THE FUTURE OF OUR CITIES

by Robert Futterman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 11, 1961

Robert Futterman is an investor, builder and real estate developer, the 32 year old president of a corporation that owns 26 properties in ten cities. His book is an analysis of the current plight of the American city along with a critique of the strengths and weakness of 19 large cities. He discusses the origin of the city in history, how cities have grown in the U.S., who works in the big cities and the jobs they have, and what form large metropolitan areas will eventually take. He deals with the problem of rapid transit complicated by the increased use of the automobile; the phenomena of the suburbs; the segregation of Negroes in the cities; the near-impossible job of city government; and the difficulties of urban renewal and how slum clearance should be undertaken. Probably the most interesting part of the book is his assessment of the character and future of such cities as Washington, Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York, Boston, San Francisco, New Orleans and Chicago. He provides a brief history of each city, describes its main advantages and disadvantages and makes some predictions about its economic future. The book is too specialized for the general reader but would certainly be of interest to students of city planning, especially in the cities mentioned.

Pub Date: Aug. 11, 1961

ISBN: 0548441898

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1961

Categories: NONFICTION