In the article, “Amanda Burden Wants to Remake New York, She Has 19 Months Left,” Julie Satow portrayed Burden’s personality and city developments fairly. It is interesting how Satow describes her posh appearance during a meeting in the introduction:
AMANDA M. BURDEN, in a sheath dress, impossibly thin and with a blond bob reminiscent of the “Mad Men” ’60s, wore a serene smile as she oversaw a recent public hearing in a drab hearing room near City Hall.
The small details immediately paint an unexpected image of Burden as a city planner. It also hints at her past as a socialite and an “it girl,” which Satow briefly touched on. Her past, along with her appearance adds an interesting aspect to Burden’s profile. But it’s an aspect that barely defines the main points of the article.
Satow further describes the developments and the impact that Burden made in the city. It’s quite amusing how Burden use “economic development” for what critics viewed as gentrification. The critics of Burden’s plans brought up issues of the local communities not gaining any benefits from the projects, aside from an increase in tourist attractions. In her defense, Burden claims that her projects are “pro-development” and and a form of “necessary growth.” Her intentions are to improve the city and provide more jobs.
Throughout the article, Satow gives both the negative and positive perceptions of Amanda Burden. It is an image that illustrates Burden’s rise to political leadership and highlights her ambitious plans of improving New York through rezoning. She could have easily made a sensational story out of Burden’s socialite past and somehow use it against her, but Satow chose a more realistic and balanced view nto the city planner’s job.
