https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vOxW15Bab97_tl2jozkppHRKyQZrrJyI/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v0PGZOQGFKCNm4hO63D3Ms1SlJwz6AQM/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Bqr_RjmHdN3qRXEceomrnL3KlFCUC4Ev/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rPHEyIiBxahHA72BBfckHMfmMQlUgMVq/view?usp=sharing

What city walking experiences do you have in common with the writer? What in your experience is different from what he wrote about? What do you think of the power of serendipity to “expose our commonalities,” as he puts it?

One of the cities walking experience I have in common with the writer is taking the express bus from Staten Island to Union Square Park and walking around there. I’m living in Staten Island which is very peace and tranquility, also a nice neighborhood. It is not as crowded as the city. In contrast, it always noises and traffic around Union Square Park. I see a lot of people quickly walking to work without interacting with each other. However, I still can see people walking their dogs, communicating with each other, and getting distracted by music. Moreover, it isn’t uncommon to see people involved in chess and street performances. I do agree with Cadogan that the power of serendipity to “expose our commonalities”. I believe that everyone has different life experiences, but we do have a lot of similarities that we should share.

Do people have a right to the city? Do longtime residents and businesses have a right to remain where they are?  If so, how should local governments, urban planners, and other decision-makers ensure these rights are maintained?

People do have a right to the city and to determine its future because they are the ones who built up and make the city come alive. In the film, “Citizen Jane: Battle For The City” Jane Jacobs says, “A city is about people, not building.” I believe that the longtime residents and businesses have a right to remain where they are because they are the first group of people who create the community. In both films, “My Brooklyn” and “Citizen Jane: Battle For The City” the local governments and urban planners are planning to rezone the downtown Brooklyn and redevelopment the city. Therefore, they forced those small businesses and the people who live there to move out. I disagree on how the local governments deal with the residents and businesses which remove the store and tear down the apartments without their permission. I feel like the city planners are not developing a better city, they are ravaging the city. However, the local governments, urban planners, and other decision-makers should take people’s opinions and find the best ways to develop the city.