The Power Broker recommendation by Alessandra Sider

Speaker

• Name: Alessandra Sider
• Role: Community Engagement Librarian at Harvard Kennedy School

Book Recommendation

• Title: The Power Broker, Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
• Author: Robert Caro

Key Points

Importance

• Vital for understanding democratic participation in public infrastructure
• Represents much more than a biography

Subject: Robert Moses

• Influence: Had a 40-year reign over New York City and State
• Achievements:
  • Built more urban highways, parks, and a hydroelectric dam than anyone else in NY history
  • Possibly the most prolific builder in U.S. history
• Impact: Shaped the built environment significantly

Negative Impact

• Communities Destroyed: Evicted nearly a quarter million residents
• Lack of Empathy: Focused on grand visions over the lived experiences of residents

Lesson for Public Servants

• Empathy: Crucial to avoid harm
• Feedback Mechanism: Essential for community buy-in and support

Recommendation Summary

• Target Audience: Public servants
• Purpose: To understand how to balance vision with empathy and community participation in public projects