JJ and KG

Karen Gonzalez, January 31st, 2008. Outside Kodak Theatre

The image was taken outside in a shopping center in front of the Kodak theatre where a democratic debate was ensuing between Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton. The image is of an urban center turned inward, away from the sidewalk. In Jane Jacob’s book, “The Death And Life of Great American Cities”, the concept that sidewalks improve safely because they place “eyes upon the street” is not evident in this image. The problem with this shopping center is that it is “turned inward onto courtyards, away from streets and sidewalks”. This can lead to gang territory and it can fortress the wealthy that can afford this high-end shopping center.