The Romance of Squalor

I read a pretty interesting NYT op-ed comparing Paris to Havana. In it, the author's recent visit to Havana showcased a world free from Blackberries, Twitter and the 'always on' mentality that many of us have adopted, by choice or by coercion. He contrasts the 'honesty' of Havana with the supposed soulless sanitation of Paris. 

What is lacking in Paris and what is present in Havana is a robust working class and all of the sounds and smells that accompany that. The factories, the bakeries, the decay etc. Turns out a city made up of rich people just isn't as much fun. 

Sometimes I have a difficult time with these opinions, and I've heard them often. There is a segment of the population that laments the passing of the Studio 54 NY - clubs, glamor, loudness, dirt, seedy etc. Selective memories, these. Yes NY was a blast but it was also scary dangerous. Violent crime was a major issue in the 70s and 80s. You were taking your life into your hands by walking down certain streets or taking the subway after a certain hour. That didn't mean you didn't do it nor do I mean it's Disney safe now. It's just that the risks involved were very real. I can't say I'm a huge Giuliani fan but I appreciate what he did to usher in a much safer NY. 

We want our cities gritty but not TOO gritty. How much squalor is too much? What about the lives of those living in dire circumstances? Who determines the correct affluent/squalor ratio?