NYC in 2024 shows an obsolete modernity. Despite its uniqueness and vibrant lifestyle, the city seems stuck in the last century
NYC is the sublimation of the most ferocious liberalism, whose effects can be seen and counted along its streets, crossed daily by an army of homeless and working poor squeezed by cynical capitalist greed.
The recent debate on the US presidential elections, beyond fanaticism, propaganda, superficiality and lies, does not touch the fundamental causes of this state of affairs to reverse the trend, envisaging radical socio-economic changes that reverse the trend. On the contrary, the electoral theatre keeps the well-established systemic order underlying these consequences since it grabs most of its funding from it.
There is little public intervention outside its well-being, as the USA generally has a cynical post-democracy with profound, growing social inequalities.
Urban decadent trends
Refreshing my passion for economic geography and urban issues, I listed some food for thought that, in addition to NYC, can be extended to numerous large cities:
- Large cities are becoming less diverse and expensive, pushing out long-term residents and small businesses. Without their soul, brought by local culture, they will look all the same, resembling an open-air shopping mall.
- Wealthy investors buy up properties but often leave them empty, creating ‘dead zones’ in neighbourhoods.
- The rise of new luxury high-rise buildings is not just a symbol of urban development but a physical manifestation of social isolation. These buildings, with their lavish amenities, are not just homes but fortresses that isolate their residents from the vibrant life of the surrounding community.
- Many new developments receive tax breaks to encourage affordable housing but mainly benefit wealthy residents.
- Rising rents are forcing small businesses and cultural institutions out of the area, replacing them with chain stores and vacant storefronts.
- Public spaces and services should be more privatized and addressed.
- The character of neighbourhoods is changing as long-term residents are priced out and community ties are broken.
- City policies favour large-scale luxury development over affordable housing and preserving existing communities.
- There are concerns about the long-term sustainability of a city economy heavily dependent on luxury real estate.
Sidenote: watch the video featuring ‘Trompe’, a track from my upcoming album (it contains a sample by ‘Trompe l’Oeil’ published in 2006 by the Italian artist Rudy Marra). Clips were taken with the iPhone 14’s cinematic camera and edited with CapCut—a practical app under scrutiny by the EU censorship team since it’s owned by the Chinese ByteDance, the same as TikTok.
