Running Head: THE
IMPACT OF ROBERT MOSES ON NEW YORK CITY 1
The
Significant Influences of Robert Moses on the City of New York
Carmel
DiCapua
Molloy
College
THE IMPACT OF ROBERT
MOSES ON NEW YORK CITY 2
Abstract
This paper explores the
impact that Robert Moses had on life in New York City. Relevant peer review
literature that pertains to this builder’s influence on city planning in New
York is presented. An inspection of the financial, political, environmental and
aesthetic implications for New York City which were generated by the
accomplishments of Robert Moses is presented. The role of Robert Moses as urban
planner is discussed. This paper
outlines what we have learned regarding the importance of city planning and its
long term results. Various ways to think about future urban planning are
identified in light of the changes caused by Robert Moses’ New York City
projects. Conclusions and recommendations are made.
THE IMPACT OF ROBERT
MOSES ON NEW YORK CITY 3
Robert Moses is a unique figure who strongly influenced
life in the city of New York. Affluent and brilliant, Robert Moses was a
public-works master builder who exerted his power over housing, recreation and
transportation in New York from the 1930’s to the 1960’s (Teaford, 2008).
Historical perspectives related to urban planning yield opposing views of this
insatiable giant and his methods. This paper will focus on the impact that this
individual continues to have on New York today. Urban planners have the
responsibility of envisioning the way people will experience everyday life in
the environments they create for them. The physical aspects include the natural
environment, architectural structures and practical access via transportation.
The net result of what a builder does influences the lives of many for years to
come.
Robert Moses is an interesting figure because he
prevailed in the completion of massive construction projects that changed the
face of the city. The sheer quantity of these projects amounted to monumental
undertakings with far reaching effects. He single-handedly fast forwarded the
development of New York. Public ventures were essentially managed privately by
him. This cut through the typical red tape obstacles found in governmental
bureaucracies. In many ways, his works continue to define life in New York
City.
Any discussion of his methods must be viewed in context.
This man cannot be compared to a typical bureaucrat. An aggressive personality
combined with unyielding energy and determination, Robert Moses linked with
politicians and other powerful figures to trail blaze the physical terrain of
New York. When this Yale, Oxford, Columbia educated urban planner was chosen by
NY Governor Al Smith to become the head of The Long Island State Parks
Authority in 1924 he soon, “perfected the art of using the autonomous,
quasi-public agency to centralize
THE IMPACT OF ROBERT
MOSES ON NEW YORK CITY 4
control and limit
public and legislative scrutiny” (Epperson,2007). It would not be long before
he added the New York City Parks Commission and Triborough Bridge Authority
along with at least twelve separate city, state and regional agencies to the
numerable resources under his control. The link between his professional goals
and the prevailing political authority is the true basis for his success in
being able to achieve so much so fast. Perhaps his windfall energy helped him
to fly under the radar of public scrutiny for long enough to accomplish many of
his goals. There is something to be said for a man who got the job done early
and under budget. Since he was at the helm, the tolls collected by the
Triborough Bridge Authority were at his disposal. This unbridled power would
also eventually lead to his downfall when his visions eventually clashed with
the visions of equally powerful men such as his nemesis Governor Nelson
Rockefeller and organized public advocates such as Mrs. James Jacobs.
The sometimes reviled power builder cannot be faulted for
using all available agencies at his discretion since they were, after-all
appointments given to him by other city authorities such as the current mayors.
Conversely, mayors may be faulted for giving so much authority to one man with
such a penchant for control. However, because of this green light effect,
Robert Moses did have his way on much of what we know as New York today.
Growing up in New York City, my family took many trips to
Jones Beach. This was a fun family day and my dad drove us to the beautiful
boardwalk and beach. I always associated Robert Moses with this pleasurable
experience maybe because his name was on the parkway sign. For a city family
with a car this was fun and memorable and added to the quality of life. We were
even able to reach the beach easily in winter, something my father liked to do
with us. I
THE IMPACT OF ROBERT
MOSES ON NEW YORK CITY 5
thank such a genius as
Robert Moses for creating such a public beach with access for all. The parkways
he created are easy to use; the beach is world class, well maintained and one
of the foremost reasons to live on Long Island! So this wonderful backyard
vacation is available year round. We don’t need to travel out of the country to
enjoy this kind of treasure, thanks to Robert Moses. It is what it was meant to
be, a beach club for the masses. For those in Brooklyn and Queens, the Jacob
Riis Park and the Marine Parkway Bridge are also popular.
Robert Moses consolidated the five separate borough’s
parks departments in an agreement with the mayor. The boulevard in Brooklyn
where I grew up was surrounded along the back and on one side by a beautiful
park. We enjoyed many happy times in the playground and as small children at
the park playhouse where we used art supplies and were guided by the park
counselors in music and play. In the winter we flew down the park hills in our
sleds. Instead of mud holes to play in, we had a permanent playground with
sturdy metal monkey bars to climb. This provided endless after-school
recreation. “Properties eaten up by taxes were acquired at low cost, and others
were obtained by condemnation” (Moses, 1970, p.6) The spread of parks,
playgrounds and parkways in New York City and the Metropolitan area since
January 19, 1934 is one of the silver linings of the depression” (Moses, 1970,
p. 3). The pool and sprinklers we cherished were part of 18 city pools built by
Robert Moses after 1934. With centralized control, he organized his workforce
to be efficient and was able to provide the necessary equipment to do the jobs
quickly and safely with permanence in mind.
Further parks from Robert Moses such as Fort Tryon
provided special outings when we visited my grandmother uptown. There we could
ride horses and have a day that might include a
THE IMPACT OF ROBERT
MOSES ON NEW YORK CITY 6
visit to the Cloisters,
a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Thanks to Robert Moses’ friendships
with other affluent people such as John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the masonry for
the Cloisters was imported from an actual cloister in France and assembled
together on site. In collaboration with Moses’ vision, Mr. Rockefeller gave the
tapestries, sculptures and art work for this incredible cloister set among
fountains and gardens. As if that were not enough, Rockefeller purchased the
land up and along the Hudson River from the George Washington Bridge along New
York and New Jersey so that the view along the route would be protected. The
many bridges Robert Moses built help people get upstate and facilitate travel
for pleasure and commerce.
The list of
improvements to recreational areas within reach of New York is endless because
of the accomplishments of Robert Moses. While other cities struggled, New York
wound up with “…one out of every seven WPA dollars spent nationwide – and in
the 1950’s his great expressways were paid for with federal highway funds
allocated on a 90/10 matching basis” (Epperson, 2007). A major talent in
organization and utilization of available public funds thrust the development
of New York ahead. Later, Robert Moses would be called in as a consultant to
other lagging municipalities. A go-getter from the start, Robert Moses jump
started New York. I for one will be forever grateful!
THE IMPACT OF ROBERT
MOSES ON NEW YORK CITY 7
References
Epperson, B. (2007). Eminence domain: Reassessing the life
and public works of Robert Moses. Technology and Culture, 48(4),
816-823.
Moses, R. (1970). Public Works: A Dangerous Trade. New York,
New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Teaford, J. C. (2008). Caro versus Moses,
round two: Robert Caro’s The Power Broker. Technology and Culture, 49(2), 442-448.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete