chapter 13

In chapter 13 Jacobs talks about the bad sides of diversity. As Jacob mentioned in previous chapters and reiterated again at the beginning of this one, diversity is an essential part of a city to be successful; but too much diversity can make a city go downhill. Competition is formed by diversity, but an excess of it can destroy social and economic support between businesses. But as Jacobs states self-destructive diversity is caused by a successful city, and this is logic if we think about it; a city cannot be successful without diversity so there must be diversity in the first place to be destroyed. Also, according to Jacobs insurance companies and offices are the biggest destructor of diversity in cities.

First Paragraph

There can be many factors limiting diversity in a city, such as high economic standards and social problems. This would be the case of the town of Franklin Square. It is a small town with around 24,012 people located in Nassau County, Long Island. Most of the population in this town is Italian or with Italian background causing many, if not all, of its businesses to be part of their culture. We know that a city to be successful needs diversity as Jane Jacobs mentioned in her book The Death and Life of Great American Cities. So in this paper I will discuss how high real estate prices, racism and poor public transportation are the main causes of lack of diversity in Franklin Square.

Thesis Statement

Franklin Square has a lack of diversity because of its high economic standards and social problems.

Points that will support my argument:

• high prices in real estate

• racism