Revisiting The Socialist City

Tom Angotti offers a progressive planner's perspective on urban planning, and explores lessons we can learn from the good, the bad, the ugly, as well as the theoretical and the achievable, aspects of the Socialist City.

1 minute read

October 13, 2003, 1:00 PM PDT

By Connie Chung


"Practicing urban planners face a real ethical dilemma. Are we simply stuck with serving developers ('the market') or can we serve broader interests and help diminish inequities? Don’t try to answer this question in the abstract. First develop a relationship with social movements that are struggling to develop both the theory and practice of alternative forms of urban living that don’t rely on capitalism’s drive for profits. There is no shortage of community-based organizations struggling for a more open, democratic society, building new relations of cooperation and solidarity among people....All have severe limitations in an economy and society built around corporate greed. But they are a testing ground for an alternative society....progressive planners need to make a personal commitment to put their progressive ideas into practice."

Thanks to Connie Chung

Friday, October 10, 2003 in Planners Network

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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