Part 2, Chapter 7, The Generators of Diversity Summary and Analysis

Cities are diverse in nature. In examining cities, one cannot consider the uses on a one-by-one basis. The uses are mixes and combinations. These mixtures and combinations are what are meant by diversity. Cities need manufacturing establishments and commercial establishments in order to survive. Areas can only support so many grocery stores and other kinds of establishments so cities can support more than the suburbs can. City commerce and manufacturing is diverse in size and in nature. Cities generate diversity.

Jacobs proposes four conditions that are necessary for the existence of diversity. The district has to have more than one purpose and serve more than one function. The blocks in the neighborhood should be short and there must be a variety of buildings in the neighborhood. The population density must be...