Making the New Urban History: Paradigm and Perspectives

Making the New Urban History: Paradigm and Perspectives examines the evolution of urban historical research and methodology during a key transitional period. The work analyzes how historians approached and documented city development in the United States during the mid-twentieth century. The book presents case studies and research examples that demonstrate shifts in urban historical analysis. Hirsch evaluates the incorporation of social science techniques, quantitative methods, and interdisciplinary approaches that transformed the field. The volume includes discussions of housing patterns, migration trends, and demographic changes in American cities. It tracks how historians began considering factors like race, class, and economic systems in their urban research. This scholarly work raises questions about historical methodology and the relationship between social science and traditional historical approaches. The text serves as both a chronicle of changing historical practices and a meditation on how scholars construct and validate knowledge about urban spaces.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Arnold Hirsch's overall work: Academic readers consistently highlight Hirsch's "Making the Second Ghetto" for its detailed research and clear explanation of how Chicago's housing segregation developed through institutional policies. Readers appreciated: - Thorough documentation of specific policies and decisions - Clear connections between government actions and racial segregation - Accessibility of complex historical analysis - Relevance to current urban issues Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Heavy focus on policy details over personal stories - Limited coverage of community resistance movements Goodreads ratings average 4.27/5 from 182 ratings Amazon ratings average 4.5/5 from 31 reviews One reader noted: "Hirsch meticulously traces how Chicago's power structure actively created segregation." Another mentioned: "The writing can be dry, but the research is invaluable." Most academic reviews cite his work as foundational for understanding urban segregation, though some suggest it could better incorporate resident perspectives.

The City in History by Lewis Mumford This comprehensive examination of urban development traces the evolution of cities from ancient times through the modern era, connecting physical urban changes to social transformations.

Nature's Metropolis by William Cronon This study of Chicago's growth demonstrates the relationships between urban centers and their surrounding natural resources in the development of American cities.

Cities and Buildings by Spiro Kostof This work analyzes urban architecture across centuries and continents to reveal the connection between building forms and the social, economic, and political forces that shape cities.

The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs This critique of urban planning policies examines the function of cities through the lens of street-level interactions and neighborhood dynamics.

Urban Fortunes: The Political Economy of Place by John Logan and Harvey Molotch This analysis explores how economic interests and power structures influence urban development and shape metropolitan growth patterns.

🏛️ Arnold Hirsch's work pioneered the study of "second ghetto" formation in American cities, introducing this crucial concept to urban historical analysis. 🏘️ The book emerged during a transformative period in urban history scholarship (1970s-80s), when social science methods were increasingly being integrated into historical research. 📊 This publication helped establish quantitative analysis as a standard tool in urban historical research, marking a shift from purely narrative approaches. 🌆 The book examines how post-WWII urban renewal projects often reinforced racial segregation rather than alleviating it, contrary to their stated goals. 👥 Hirsch's research demonstrated how local political decisions, rather than just market forces, played a decisive role in shaping American urban development and racial geography.