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the urban naturalist

8. Naming Places

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In a city filled with vigorous cultural and economic energy, at times, it seems as if every single block, every corner, every park bench has its own unique name. It is not enough to speak of "east side" or "the west side" for there is, the residents will soon explain, a big difference between the Upper East Side and the Lower East Side, and although Kips Bay may also be on the east side of town geographically, it has absolutely nothing to do with either one. People take the names of places very seriously, the more people you have concentrated in an area the smaller and more specific the names of neighborhoods seem to become. On the tiny, but densely populated, 13 mile long island of manhattan we counted no less than 46 neighborhoods and micro neighborhoods. The list we compiled is (not doubt) incomplete and inaccurate even now, since in a vital city neighborhoods are in a state of constant revision.

Giving a neighborhood a name gives it a persona. Like people, neighborhoods are born, they may grow and they may die. We feel compelled to name places because, like people places have distinct personalities. As these personalities proliferate so do the names of neighborhoods. Too often we interact with these larger than life personas in a passive way. We do however, have the power within our own corner of the urban landscape to shape and form the personalities of our neighborhoods.

The Financial District, for example, is something like a dusty old attorney or wealthy tax accountant by day, focused on work, tough, effective, possibly the best in the world at his job but, also, in many ways, past his prime. By night, the neighborhood is something of a heavy drinker. As a resident, I'd like to see the district develop its artistic side a little more-- experience some inner personal growth and form more meaningful social relationships.

In order to effect this change I intended to set up easel and do a few street scapes-- never mind that there are few artists in this area*. Of course, this will will probably not be enough to change the district-- bu,t it will change it for me and for the people I meet. My point here is that we can't assume that the character of a neighborhood is fixed. Too often people living in a place grow to be more like the place in spirit, they absorb the glories and the mistakes of that locations' history. But, as much as history acts upon us, we also act upon history and through it we can act on future. Your neighborhood grows to be more like you the longer you live in it.

These urban areas are our great companions, they may need our help to get through a rough patch in their lives. Are you ready to help?

*I was out painting last week and meet a few other artists in the area who also, like me, felt the need to trek up north to SoHo. At least one was taken with the idea of working locally. I also had a great many interesting conversations with the street vendors who told me their impressions of the neighborhoods personality.

Last: 7. Graffiti
Next: 9. A Palace With Many Rooms

From: The Urban Naturalist.