Chapter 9

"Most blocks must be short; that is, streets and opportunities to turn corners must be frequent." (Jacobs, 178)

In this chapter Jacobs argues in favor of the formation of smaller more concise blocks and against long mega street blocks. For some reason I believed that long blocks were favorable, not that I enjoy walking down what seems to be a never ending street, but I favor having all shops conveniently sprawled out on one street. This is something Jacobs believes is not only problamental but inconvenient not only to pedestrians but street merchants alike. The diagrams helped to illustrate her point very well, and by the end of the chapter I too became in favor of small blocks. She provides for us several reasons as to why city planners should stray from creating long blocks. The first reason is touched upon in the first quotation of the chapter, opportunities to turn corners must be frequent. Turning corners more often will force you to get to know more of your own neighborhood. Not only that, but it will increase possible encounters with your commuity members. Another reason she gives is that spreading buisnesses over a larger grid area instead of all grouped together will decrease competition. Each business can develop its own clientel without fear that a neighboring commerce might attract its customers. She provides for us the example of the East Side during the sixties, Seventies and Eighties. She states "how nicely special stops like bookstores or dressmakers or restaurants have inserted themselves, usually, but not always, near the corners." (Jacobs, 184) The chapter concludes by Jacobs explaining how the way the streets are formed corrolates directly with the diversity they will generate and the social interactions the people will have with each other.