Urban Studies and Planning Commons^™

Early Observations On The 2000 Census, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The 281.4 million residents of our country counted in 2000 exceeded census estimates of 274.5 by nearly seven million and 13.2 percent, was the largest numeric gain for a decade in the history of census taking, dating back to 1790 when the first one was taken. Swelled by immigrant numbers and holding a steady birth rate, this increase topped the previously highest increase of 28 million of the baby boom years of the 1950s."

Charting The Census Count On The Way To Our Woodsian Future, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Our country is a wonderful example of the world in miniature. because of our generous immigration policy which allows approximately one million persons to enter the country each year and to come from almost any country in the world, it is not necessary to go out in search of different people and cultures for almost all are to be found here. Whether one talks of the Hispanics and Native Americans of the Southwest, the AfroAmericans of the South, the Asians of Hawaii, the whites of the North or the more than 120 national groups found in the Elmhurst neighborhood of …

Tiger Woods, A Herald For The Blending Of The Races In U.S., Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Tiger Woods, perennial winner of gold tournaments, has a unique way of describing his ancestry. When asked his background, e claims to be a "Caublasin," i.e., Caucasoid, Black, Asian and Indian. But, in reality, the Tiger may not be unique in a country that is now moving toward becoming a blended multiracial society."

The Portland Of The Pacific Beguiles, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"When Amos Lovejoy of Boston and Francis Pettygrove of Portland sought to name the clearing in the Oregon forest called 'Stumptown' (because of the tree stumps remaining from frequent fires set by the Indians), each wanted to honor the New England city from which he came. By the toss of a coin, Pettygrove was the winner, and the Portland of the Northeast had its counterpart in the Portland of the Northwest."

Glory Days Of Suburbia Are Over, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Most Rhode Islanders would undoubtedly agree with Donald Wyatt's sterling endorsement of suburbia (Commentary Page, Sept. 7) and many would envy the wonderful experience he says he has had living in Warwick these past 40 years. After all, the suburbs are the habitat of most Rhode Islanders as well as most other Americans and, it sis presumed, these folks live there through choice."

Coping With Car Congestion, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Ah, the joy of the automobile! Driving with the windows closed to eliminate outside noise and to get the full effect of the four-speaker stereo while listening to Sibelius, Brooks or Franklin, depending on one's taste; sitting in seats more comfortable than those in the living room at home; and taking in the colorful foliage along this country road in the rural wester part of the state where we are the only car on the road--how could life be any better??

Ethnic Mix Enriches Culture, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Rhode Island is unique. It is the smallest state in the country, has a different religious majority, has one of the oldest populations and has one of the largest varieties of ethnic groups in the country."

That Precious 'Ambience', Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Colette Peters, former Rhode Island School of Design student, renowned cake baker and author of Colette's Cakes, was recently asked about her food memories of Providence. This current resident of New York said, 'Haven Brothers! We'd go to Haven Brothers for hot dogs when I was a student at RISD. It was what we could afford.'"

In Defense Of The Lowly City: Urban Exodus, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"For much of American history, cities have been depicted as centers of sin and corruption. As a result, they have been neglected, ignored, castigated, criticized, shunned and despised by citizens and government alike. Americans just don't like cities."

The Benefits Of Regionalization, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Bristol County is unusual among Rhode Island's five counties. Not only is it contiguous with a county of the same name in an adjoining state, but it also consists of only three towns--Barrington, Warren and Bristol--and is one of the smallest of the 3,141 counties in this country."

Census Numbers Show R.I.'S Soul, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"More numbers have been released by the government from the 1990 census on population and housing. The results tell us something of the uniqueness of this smallest state.

It is useful to determine trends from the past and the present in order to plan for the future, a common method of analysis. But it is also helpful to realize that we are part of a region and a country, and much can be learned by making comparisons between ourselves and others for the same period of time."

The Numbers Game: An Ethnic Mish-Mash, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"St. Patrick and St. Joseph would have been pleased by the special day held in their honor at the State House recently. The General Assembly session was called off, corned beef and cabbage and Italian meatballs were served and speeches were given to recognize the contributions of the culturally and ethnically rich heritage of this small state of Rhode Island."

Surprise, Some Cities Are Alive And Well, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Those city-haters are at it again. Most recently it was Don Shoemaker, columnist at The Miami Herald, writing in these pages about the loss of population from some of our major cities, using figures recently released by the Census Bureau."

Skewed Distance Perception Is Rhody Tradition, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"We all joke about the size of this state and the attitude that its residents have regarding traveling any distance: Packing a lunch if you are going to Westerly from Providence, staying overnight if you go to Burrillville from Bristol and driving from Pawtucket all the way to Exeter to visit a friend. We hear it enough to start believing it."

Demographics Will Dictate The Future Of Business, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"If one could predict the future numbers of a population with some accuracy, that projected data would be most valuable, especially to business."

Communities For Elderly As Money-Making Ventures, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Fifteen miles northwest of downtown Phoenix, Ariz., you can see it in the distance: a veritable white walled oasis. A six-to-eight foot tall black fence nearly encloses it, cutting it from the sparsely settled desert and agricultural lands that surround it, providing a haven of community living that makes it one of the best-known residential areas in the nation."

More People May Be 20th Century's Greatest Feat, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"This century may well go down in history as humanity's most productive period of accomplishment."

Columbia A Successful Forerunner Of New Towns, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"When center city developments such as Faneuil Hall in Boston, South Street Seaport in New York City, Harborplace in Baltimore and others are mentioned, the name of James W. Rouse is also noted in the same breath. In fact, the word "Rousification" is applied to such downtown developments. It is a tribute to his work in creating these lively retail centers in what were previously dying downtowns."

Beating The System By Joining In Buying Homes, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"A recent national survey revealed that 84 percent of Americans would choose a single-family detached house over any other form of housing. Not surprisingly, in this country where we value individual rights, individual ownership of property is a goal to which most aspire and one that most have achieved.

But suppose that goal was not attainable and the only choice was a multifamily structure. And suppose that limited resources meant the only form of ownership was sharing with others. Given this choice, would Americans choose this form of housing?"

Some Back-Yard Arguments Are Best Left At Home, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Governing authorities must contend and work with many special-interest groups in order to plan the growth and development of their communities. Whether these groups are concerned with better schools, garbage pickup, no growth, economic development or the environment, the issues may require action, and often the only way to get the attention of the local council is to band together and confront authorities with the issue."

Missed Opportunity In S. Kingston, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"They were well dressed, although informally. They came with their spouses. They were articulate, educated, and generally did not raise their voices. They looked like solid middle-class Americans--homemakers, civic-minded, and concerned citizens, so it was difficult to understand their reaction to the proposed housing development."

Minorities, Cities To Bear Brunt Of Federal Cutbacks, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The sad story of the 4,500 Rhode Island families whose welfare benefits will be reduced or ended with this current 1982 fiscal year should make us profoundly aware of the plight of the poor. In the next few months government-mandated action will bring the federal budget closer to balance. Not yet noticed but soon to be realized, will be the impact on minority poor, and on the place where most of them live--the city."

City Image Building, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It is only the beginning, but it is a step in the right direction. The recently announced proposal by the Mayor of Providence for the purchase of art works for city buildings and parks is a welcome sign that the city is finaly recognizing the value of an aesthetically pleasing enviornment. Called "Art in City Life," the program could funnel as much as $300,000 next year into works of art for city public spaces, much of it in the downtown area (see Citiartnews, Fall/Winter Issue, 1979-1980). This important measure deserves the full support of the arts community as well as …

Right Mix For Successful Downtown Renewal, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It is sometimes called a 'big, small town.' It has all the trappings of a large urban center: from outdoor concerts at the Civic Center to a Go-Go lounge; parking problems and traffic congestion, to a Worthinton Street where bars and prostitutes prevail; and vacant old buildings , to new, high-rise office blocks. Sheer numbers alone in this city bring visible evidence of the activities and characteristics common to the downtowns of most large American cities."

Baltimore: A City On The Move, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"On the way to Washington D.C. one drives through a part of America's seventh largest city and, based upon the popular image of this city, there is no reason to stop in Baltimore. But if one does stop, he would be surprised and impressed by the dynamism of a city on the move."