The Arsenal of Exclusion & Inclusion

by Interboro

Who gets to be where? The Arsenal of Exclusion & Inclusion examines some of the policies, practices, and physical artifacts that have been used by planners, policymakers, developers, real estate brokers, community activists, and other urban actors in the United States to draw, erase, or redraw the lines that divide. The Arsenal inventories these weapons of exclusion and inclusion, describes how they have been used, and speculates about how they might be deployed (or retired) for the sake of more open cities in which more people have access to more places. With contributions from over fifty architects, planners, geographers, historians, and journalists, The Arsenal offers a wide-ranging view of the forces that shape our cities. by Interboro (Tobias Armborst, Daniel D’Oca, Georgeen Theodore)

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Urbanism, Urban Planning

440 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2011

Reviews

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking a catalogue style approach to all the information it wants to convey, it does a really good job of conveying across to the reader the broad arsenal of mechanisms used to create group through inclusion and exclusions, providing an insight into the history behind them as well as ways they are abused and, in doing so provides the reader with a view on American social history.
As many reference books, some sections can be a tool to read due to the subject covered but, overall, a very good read with all the material used properly referenced for further study if interested.
For those who enjoy the topic, definitely worth a read.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but simplistic. More like a jumping off point for thinking about how city planning and polices can help us thrive or falter. Had some clear “of the zeitgeist" biases which meant values and ideas were not interrogated and explored as critically as I would have liked.