Fantasy City: Pleasure and Profit in the Postmodern Metropolis

Hannigan aptly notes that many an urban renewal or even "new urbanist" design (say, South Street Seaport) resembles a theme park more than a real city. Especially helpful is the list of characteristics shared by entertainment complexes and "fantasy city" redevelopments. The discussion focuses on economic aspects of development (or why the new city won't be gritty) but also makes some mention of cultural impacts (notably making "the urban" a safe experience for the middle class shopper and off-limits to everyone else). If Hannigan's analysis is correct, we could all be living in Westfield malls soon.

Let me start off by saying that I finished this book and couldn't put it down. It's a comprehensive and fascinating look at city development specifically focusing on the "entertainment" aspect of city life. It helped me understand the movement towards the all-in-one suburban entertainment centres.