Re-urbanization

Driving into the office this morning I heard a report on KCUR (89.3FM) about the amount of development that is beginning to happen in downtown Kansas City and the surrounding environs. This time around it sounds as if there is a great deal of unity around how space ought to be appropriated. A lot of the development is happening around where the new performing arts center is going to be, just south of Bartle Hall.

After church last night a couple of us went to dinner and one of the people shared a story about looking at a little lot on Cherry south of downtown, a lot that under normal circumstances would fetch no more than $4000. It went for an outstanding $31,000. He said that area around Gillham, down by Crown Center is hot and this developer would have spent whatever it took to get the land.

City planners have been trying to re-think how cities grow and expand without eviscerating their urban cores. According to the Sierra Club, Kansas City is quickly becoming one of the worst sprawl cities around. At the same time, when urban property gets "hot," how does it develop in a way that doesn't dislocate the poor? I think of the perfectly planned communities that are emerging in an attempt to re-integrate life, geography, work, etc. Is it possible to do this, to remove all unpleasantness from our line of sight? Or is that why re-urbanization is such an emerging trend?

I think this subject is intriguing and important for our community, especially in light of the discussion we began last night, one aspect of which was the idea of living in proximity to one another.

Comments

[Todd "Thunderboy" Pearson]

You know the whole proximity thing got me thinking about how technology has made community easier without being "right next door." Cars, e-mail, phones, blogs etc. have allowed us to stay in community with people who aren't within walking distance. What do you think is the limit of proximity in such an idealistic community? Is it five miles or five blocks or five hundred feet? You live in Brookside, I live in Overland Park. Most people would say that's not too close, but last time I drove to your place, it measured 5.6 miles. 5.6 miles doesn't sound like very far to me. I find that the idea of proximal community is based more on the circles in which we travel. The fact that I am running into people from Jacob's Well on a daily basis at places like Starbucks, the grocery store, Target, etc. is representative of being in community. I like that.

My conclusion is that I don't think the idea of a proximal community is completely based on distance, but in shared life experience. It's a life where you cross paths with other people from your "community" many times a week just living life no matter where you lay your head at night.

[Tim]

That's a great point, Todd. Technology does alter stuff, positively and negatively. This will be a great discussion.

[Paul Hensley]

"At the same time, when urban property gets hot, how does it develop in a way that doesn't dislocate the poor?"

Tim-
That's an interesting question. We have decided to move back closer to downtown in an area close to the one you are talking about. One of our purposes was to be in a close-knit community neighborhood with different types of people. We have hispanic, interracial couples, older single white men, young marrieds with kids, etc. It's great! We even have a whistling mailman with a long grey beard. Anyway, my question is how do I help the poor? I'm not looking for a scripture (hope you understand), I'm looking for something I can put my hands around, in my neighborhood.

[Deanne]

Paul,
I hear what you're saying. But I also hear what you're not saying, but implying. So I echo your question: How can my everyday choices help people who are suffering? How can I help the poor not just by going out and actively helping them through a local organization (which is a good and often obvious thing to do,) but then, also, how can the choices I make about where I live, how I spend my money, and what I consume help those who struggle to make ends meet?

I wish I had handy answers. Does anyone?

[Paul]

Yeah, who has the answers!? Deanne, Thanks for expounding on what my heart question is. Sometimes I get so upset with the Bible (God knows what I mean). We have the blueprint for how to live but it's only maybe 100 pages long (Gospels). That's an awefully short biography for the pattern of life. I just wish we could see more about what Jesus' life was like everyday. The miraculous stories are great but I want to know what his life was like. What did he smell like? What was it like to look in His eyes? Did he like to sing? I mean, I might do a few great things in my life (raise children?) but telling 20 stories about me over the course of my life wouldn't tell you who I am. Sure wish there would have been video cameras to follow Jesus around. I'm not saying this to be trite or sacreligious. Hope everyone understands.

[ashley]

At the soup kitchen where I work, we have watched poor people become displaced multiple times over the years -- our city leaders decide they want to revitalize an area, and in order to do so they determine that certain housing must be closed down, etc. Many of our regular guests who at one time lived close have been "relocated" in order to serve the city's interest in "reviving" the Troost Corridor or some such other project. In Time magazine earlier this year, there was an article about people who are homeless and the shocking number of cities where it has recently been made illegal to lay down in a public place -- so not only do we, in the interest of bringing people back to the city, "relocate" the poor, but now we also make those who have no homes the subject of punishment when they rest on a sidewalk, in a city park, etc.

It is difficult to look at or sometimes to smell poverty. I think it is almost universal when confronted with poverty to have a sense of guilt about what we have, how we live. The question is, when confronted with this, what do we do? Paul asked about Jesus, how he lived, how he smelled, etc. I believe that Jesus, when confronted with the worst life had to offer, gave love and acceptance. Not love and acceptance without challenge, without confrontation, but he touched people who smelled. He touched people with leprosy who's sores wept and who's bodies were disfigured -- people who had been cast aside by the rest of us. That is the challenge of Christ, in my opinion. To radically alter how we value people -- to begin to value the least in our worldy kingdom because our worldy kingdom is not Christ's kingdom. And Christ's kingdom redeems that which here seems ugly...

I don't have the answers to the questions regarding how to properly do re-urbanization -- but I do know that because so many fear the poor, these efforts often do displace people who have few resources already. Then they are moved away from bus lines and other "urban" services that they need.

[Paul]

I don't really know where this discussion will end up or if any questions will be answered but my heart is stirred and I can fell God in it. I have to admit that my approach to life has been mostly wrong so far. My business mind and traditional upbringing has told me to, "Do something BIG." When I hear about you, Ashley, in your last post and at other times in the church I realize that that shouldn't be the focus. Until recently I would have said that the goal of helping the poor is to help them to not be poor. Maybe, instead of helping the dirty become 'clean' I need to get dirty myself. That is hard for me to say because I hate to be dirty especially if given the choice. So, I want to ask, "What should our goal be?" or "What is the next step?" but maybe the questions are all wrong...

[ashley]

It is awesome that your heart is stirred, Paul. And I love that you think maybe you should get dirty yourself. To that, I say, "YES!" Christ got dirty.

I think our goal is to be disciples...disciples of the true and living God -- disciples of our Lord, Jesus Christ, fully human and fully divine. So, I always ask (not in the bracelet and bumper sticker way) what Christ did in his life, and that is the measuring stick for what I want to do in my time here. I think Christ was a champion of the underdog by being with the underdogs -- not just by writing or talking about loving them, but by living it out in his actions...Let's do that!

A favorite quotation of mine is from GK Chesterton (Tim, you probably get tired of me quoting this): "Christianity has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried. Even watered down, Christianity is hot enough to boil the modern world to rags."

Let's be radical and love people the way Christ did -- it will change the world...And, Paul, if you want to go with me to the soup kitchen sometime and get dirty (I'm still orange from peeling and chopping tons of carrots last night!), let me know -- every 4th Monday at 4 p.m.

[Paul]

At this point in my life I really feel God calling me to clear my calendar, just eliminate everything and see what He brings my way. Not that the things that I've been doing are wrong or against God, but they are MY things. It's not been as easy as it sounds. But, I'm so excited about the freedom of having limited obligations. And then when I truly find what God wants me to do I can make a true commitment to it with all my heart. Ashley, it seems that you've done that with the feed the poor ministry. I'm sure that you've seen those who come and go, who get so frustrated with seeing little 'progress'. I'd hate to be one of those people who blows in and blows back out. I'm looking for a 'marathon' to enter. And I truly want to hear God say, "Do this!" instead of me saying, "This looks like a good idea". So, be praying that God shows me something to focus my soul at. I'd love to hear more about what you're doing as a possible focal point and an encouragement that God does bring purpose (as He's done with you and the ministry).

[eH]

you know, this conversation is so compelling. when i was in 3rd or 4th grade, actually the summer of one of those grades, i went to a fireworks display downtown with my mom, brothers, cousins, etc... there were a lot of us. it was july 4th weekend. while we were watching i heard a man behind us say, "could somebody give me a quarter?" i kept hearing it, so i turned around and there was a man on crutches and missing one leg. he kept asking. my brothers and cousins and my mom never turned around and i wished i had a quarter.

later that night when i went to bed mom recognized i was bothered so i told her about the man and asked her why she hadn't given the man a quarter. i wanted to go back and find the man and give him a quarter, but we prayed that someone else would give him a quarter.

now, obviously there were things going on in my naive little head that my mom couldn't explain, though she did the best she could...she is the greatest woman i've ever met. but that experience has stayed with me to this day. and i think about it all the time.

i am like you, paul. i want to help, to do something, to be different in some way...but i just don't know how. since this experience i have had others, and some of them not good. specifically, i was attacked once, and now i find it hard to let down any guard and allow myself to get dirty. i know Jesus did it, but he was Jesus, i'm more like Peter...quick to the sword and defense.

i agree the "make them more like us" approach is ridiculous. i mean, "them" and "us"...horribly arrogant. but i'm at a loss. this is something i've mulled over, prayed over, talked over with friends, etc. for a long time. and i find no conclusion. any thoughts?

[Paul]

Have been trying to post more on this blog but have been getting an error message. I received so much life from this conversation. I wish it would have kept going but attention spans are short. Tim, if you have more comments or ideas about this I am all ears or if anyone else is still checking this post looking for a well post away!

[Tim]

Hey Paul...I'm actually percolating another post along these lines but want to include an article from the new re:generation quarterly. I'm waiting to see if they will post it online. If not, I'll make a .pdf of the article and attach it that way.

[Tobe]

a real interesting site tim, ive had a good time browsing thanks chief, toby uk.