ABSTRACT
September 11 will best be remembered because it came to symbolize a new consciousness and brought about a new era. For all the rightful recognition that day brought, it also drew an extremely dismal picture of the urban future-or, as it is called here, 9/11 dystopia. The elements of 9/11 dystopia were manifested in different responses to the attack. One was an emotional response reflecting a deep pessimism that saw cities falling into stifling fear and dark repression. Another had more to do with a strategic response, and saw the path to national survival in movement away from cities and toward a “defensive dispersal” of people, housing, and industry. The last was burrowed in a belief that cities had gone astray because of their infatuation with “tall buildings.” According to this creed, skyscrapers not only compromised the values of sound planning but made cities vulnerable to attack. Each of these responses is taken up.
