Part 2, Chapter 10, The Need for Aged Buildings Summary and Analysis

The third condition put forth by Jacobs has to do with the buildings in the area. There must be a mixture of old and new buildings. New buildings represent construction costs, which are evidenced by the higher rents in the area. Old buildings represent lower rents. This has implications for the kinds of commercial establishments that can exist in the neighborhood. The mixture of old and new buildings then is an economic necessity. The mixture is also needed for purposes of diversity, both primary and secondary. Certain neighborhoods that have this mixture are more successful than other neighborhoods since they have more mom and pop type businesses that lead to more public figures that watch the streets of the neighborhoods.

Jacobs makes a good point in saying that the...