8 Lezioni newyorchesi : la democrazia della città, la democrazia della natura

Abstract

Abstract The book explores New York City, from the Industrial Revolution to pres- ent-day. Analyzing conflicts, transformations, cultural and biotic exchanges and the concepts of democracy, not just in political terms, but looking at the relationship between urban Natures and urban Cultures. Divided into 5 Sec- tions and 8 Chapters, the volume reflects on the different forms of urban orga- nization and practices, comparing the democracy of Nature, in urban areas, to the urban democracy, exploring the role and interaction of anthropic activities with natural dynamics. The book does not discuss the city and nature as aesthetic form but explores the conflictual-collaborative intersection between Urban Nature and Urban Cultures, in relation to historical events and to several contemporary aspects, to learn from the nature and the relationship between nature and culture. The first Section discusses on urban transformation through the skyline, a “comprehensive landscape”; the second Section explores the urban parks and gardens and their historical evolution, conflicts between groups and gentri- fication processes, dealing with some opportunities provided by new laws that address climate issues and the revitalization of the city. The third Section looks at the American Botanical Gardens, reflecting on their role in the urban environment. The fourth Section studies the relationship between city and food, in relation to social and symbolic topics, while the fifth Section returns a specific contemporary drama, connected to the Covid-19, narrating the pan- demic effects on the social structure and on the New Yorkers homeless.