Even the modern planning profession had its roots in the town planning movement of the 19th century, Engwicht notes. It was strongly tied to Christian-based reformers concerned with degraded conditions in industrial revolution cities, rampant prostitution, alcoholism, etc. These mental maps influenced reformers such as Ebenezer Howard, whose Victorian Era Garden City Movement was a critical source of modern urban planning. This topography is flawed, and we must begin re-drawing the map, he adds. What you don't know is just as important as what you do know.
Meaner environments make people feel meaner.
They have numerous feedback loops. A certain level of chaos is both healthy and necessary to cities. In fact, in cities across the world, the most creative people gravitate to the most chaotic districts because they know chaos is necessary to the creative process. It is from the margins that new ideas rise, Engwicht notes. The new view of the city will revalue the margins.