When urbanization occurs as a result of decisions made by select few who yields power in political and economic positions as opposed to natural growth process, then there is existence of political economic paradigm (York University, 2006). The political economy paradigm gives emphasis on how big corporation play big roles in transferring land use from one social class to another through determining the social and physical characteristics of a metropolitan (York University, 2006).
The 2007 documentary ‘Brooklyn Matters’ depicts a scenario where few powerful individuals push the idea of changing the Brooklyn landscape through development of a mega project that would hold the basketball arena for the Nets and about 17 mega towers and housing units. Produced and directed by Isabel Hill the film brings out the fight against the proposed developments.
This article discusses the events unfolding in the film after the introduction of the Atlantic Yard project. It questions the rationale behind the project, its benefits and finally give the writer’s standings on the matter in relation with the political economic paradigm.
Main Discussion
On January 23 2004, Bruce Ratner, a well-known developer proposed a 2.4 billion dollar development featuring a 20,000 seats sport arena and 16, 620 feet tall towers. Under the support of the Governor George Pataki, Mayor, Michael Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz (Angotti, 2007), the project stood big chances of sailing through. The project came with the promise of lowering the housing affordability and creation of multiple job opportunities.
The Brooklyn Matters documentary, however, features voices from the community members who have for long struggled to be heard. The project would definitely dwarf out the existing building and out rightly change the existing façade. The film features the Roebling Bridge built in the year 1883 ( Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee, 2016) an icon of the Brooklyn area that has withstood the test of time only to be put under threat from the proposed project. To be implemented the project would have to demolish 12 existing buildings. The film questions on whether due diligence is applied in government sponsored projects and whether the voice of the commoner is heard. The only opportunity that the community got to express their views was during the environmental mitigation committee meetings. This is at a stage where the designs have been done and approvals acquired.
Through the film, the notion that there is racial influence where the blacks support the project while the whites oppose it, is silenced by bringing out key vocal blacks such as activist Bob Law, Letitia James and Charles Barron. Kent Barwick is in the for-front disagreeing with the use of eminent domain to transfer all that development space to a single developer. Most feel that the project is too huge and would not only lead to congestion of the city and also seems to agree that the government officers are abusing their powers through ignoring the city’s normal public review process.
Conclusion
In as much as the film depicts so much negativity around the project, maybe the question should be, ‘could the few political and economic leaders have the right thing in mind despite not involving the majority?’ Would safeguarding the ancient architecture be more beneficial than the benefits that the society stand to gain?
In the face of growing population and modernization, integrating new developments with the existing facilities for the benefits of the society at large would be prudent. I totally agree with the project, however, involving the community and buying their ownership at the planning stage is as important as environmental safeguarding. A win – win situation can be attained after all.
References
Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge Committee. (2016). A qucik History of the Roebling Suspension Bridge. Retrieved from Covington-Cincinnati Suspension Bridge : http://www.roeblingbridge.org/history/
Angotti, T. (2007, March 06). Atlantic Yards: A Done Deal? Gotham Gazette.
York University. (2006, July). Political Economy Paradigm. Retrieved from York Univeristy: http://www.yorku.ca/lfoster/2006-07/sosi3830/lectures/POLITICAL_ECONOMY_PARADIGM.html
