James Howard Kunstler (photo by CharlieSamuels.com)
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TROY, N.Y. — For many Americans, “The City” only refers to New York City, or one of the other major metroplexes in the country with populations in the millions. But North America is filled with smaller cities that were once just as lively, if only at a smaller scale. And they may come back to life again as events already underway continue to unfold.
Urban polemicist James Howard Kunstler believes that people will be living a lot differently in the U.S.A. during the coming years. Financial distress and energy scarcity are just two forces that may dictate Americans re-inhabit the centers of our smaller cities. But contrary to prevailing suburban notions of our times, life in an activated urban center — at a smaller scale — is delightful. The more activated these places become, the more desirable it will be to be in them.
Kunstler feels that Troy, N.Y., with its currently population of 49,000, has many characteristics that make it a universal stand-in for every small American city. But he also believes there are aspects that make Troy uniquely poised for a genuine comeback.
For this pilot episode of A Small American City, Kunstler joins host Duncan Crary for a special, introductory conversation about small cities, Troy, N.Y. and the urban fabric. From 2008 to 2012, Crary and Kunstler produced the popular podcast series, The KunstlerCast, a weekly conversation about “the tragic comedy of suburban sprawl.” During their run, the two often used Crary’s home city of Troy, N.Y. as an informal laboratory to illustrate and observe the urban design, energy and economic issues of the times.
Now, after completing what he considers an “intellectual apprenticeship,” Crary will be setting off alone to continue exploring the urban organism. The episode begins with an excerpt from an essay by Crary about his time spent learning from Kunstler and living in Troy, NY. It first appeared in print as the concluding chapter of Crary’s book, The KunstlerCast: Conversations with James Howard Kunstler…the tragic comedy of suburban sprawl, (New Society Publishers, 2011).
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(60 MB | 43:51)
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ABOUT JAMES HOWARD KUNSTLER
James Howard Kunstler is the author of The Geography of Nowhere, Home From Nowhere, The City in Mind, The Long Emergency and Too Much Magic. He has written more than a dozen novels, including World Made By Hand and The Witch of Hebron. He lives in Washington County (one county north of Troy).
MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE
The song featured in this episode, used by permission, is “After the Great Flood of Troy,” by The Parlor (formerly known as We are Jeneric), from the album “Hansel & Gretel; Stories from the Stove,” (released: March 1, 2007)
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ABOUT THE OPENING MONTAGE
The voices and sound bites heard in the opening montage are as follows:
“No traditional city in history, with the exception of Rome and Athens at their peak, had more than 50,000 people.” —Jaime Correa, urban planner, architect, and professor at the University of Miami.
(Source: KunstlerCast #67: Jaime Correa & The 40 Percent Plan, June 4, 2009.)
“Enormous metroplexes is not the only way to think about cities.”—Catherine Tumber, author of Small Gritty and Green)
(Source: KunstlerCast #197: Catherine Tumber on Small Cities – Part 1, March 8, 2012
“This could be one of the great comeback cities of America.” —James Howard Kunstler, author of The Geography of Nowhere and The Long Emergency
(Source: KunstlerCast #43: Missing Teeth in the Urban Fabric, Dec. 18, 2008)
“I think this place is steppin’ out of line,”—Duncan Crary, author/podcaster
(Source: A Small American City 01: The Night Jack Quit Drinkin’, Dec. 27, 2012)
Singing: “Old Ass Troy” —Respected journalist who prefers to remain anonymous
(Source: Old Ass Troy, limited CD release by Roger Noyes, Dec. 2003)
“If you’re not from Troy, you really don’t get it.” —Jack Casey, author, musician, attorney
(Source: A Small American City 01: The Night Jack Quit Drinkin’ Dec. 27, 2012)
“Troy!” “Troyyyy!” “Troy!” “Troy!” —Annabella, Scarlett & Evelyn Kennedy