The City: Looking Backward

Time may make ancient good uncouth; more often it makes ancient commonplace the latest luxury. The airplane was the prestigious way to Europe 15 years ago—now the steamship has status value because it takes longer. At the turn of the century, only the rich had autos; now-only they can afford horses. Electricity has made the once lowly candle a symbol of gracious living, and fireplaces are included only in the most astronomically expensive modern apartments.

The latest discovery of the city planners is walking.

Closeness & Surprise. The automobile has so spread out stores and clogged up streets that the only solution...