Obviously density Isn't the only factor in the
sustainable city debate, but it is extremely
important. More important I would say is to reverse
the transportation heirarchy replacing low occupancy
auto travel pedestrian transport and biking. How much
would this free up space for #2 on my list, density in
compact walkable centers with a diversity of uses and
also socio-economic diversity. These centers in the
urban core could be linked by easily accessable hydro
powered trollies or light rail (at least in our
region) creating a web of connectivity allowing all
residents equal access throughout the city. A greater
diversity of other modes such as EV's, delivery
vehicles, mini busses, pedal powered taxis and cargo
bikes, etc. fill in the gaps.
Often overlooked in this thread is the need to also
densify the rural areas around the city, and what this
might look like. Unfortunatly, suburban style
development and "rural" style big lots with big lawns
are robbing our communities of precious resources and
even more precious farm land. I would say that even
if we redeveloped the country we could leave the city
alone entirley and have a greater impact. I would
propose that building nodal developments along the
major routes would allow easy access to the urban core
through car sharing, fixed lines of transport and
busses and put far more people in a position to be
involved in agricultural and land based trades. These
conservation villages would contain 50-200 households,
commercial and light manufacturing facilities,
agriculture, schools, elder car facilities, etc. so
that all needs could be met within the community.
Linking the nodes together with pedestrian/bike trails
would allow easy access between villages and
throughout the country. Many of our city busses could
be moved out to the country as circulators moving
people to the closest rail station or to the urban
edge.
Stay tuned for my upcoming TC Local paper on the
subject coming next month...
Josh dolan
> maybe i just need help with the idea of why it's
> necessary for that
> kind of density. it doesn't make sense to me.
> these are the factors
> i see going into the viability of our species:
>
> population control in the form of education
> small, spread-out self-sustaining communities-
> communities would
> specialize in areas of production like food,
> clothing, housing, etc
> and would trade with one another or sell or create
> some economic
> infrastructure
> sustainable transport
> low-consumption
> renewable resources
>
> why can't this work?
>
> -marlo
> On May 17, 2008, at 4:26 PM, Simon St.Laurent wrote:
>
> > George Frantz writes:
> >> There are a thousand different way in which we
> can let our cities
> >> evolve
> >> into more compact, and more environmentally,
> economically and
> >> socially
> >> sustainable communities in the coming decades. It
> will just take
> >> imagination and creativity, an open mind, and a
> critical
> >> questioning of
> >> the fears, prejudices and attitudes we carry,
> toward both the
> >> environment and our fellow human beings.
> >
> > I think I give the prejudices more credit than
> George does, as I look
> > over the hard question of how (and whether) we
> actually get to
> > anything
> > resembling his description.
> >
> > <http://livingindryden.org/2008/05/
> > getting_to_nodal_development_i.html>
> >
> > I've focused specifically on the landscape
> (physical and political) I
> > know in the Town of Dryden, which is probably not
> going to yield
> > enthusiasm for George's vision.
> >
> > I think we need to pause and seriously consider
> whether planners'
> > visions actually advance their cause or alienate
> so many of the people
> > needed to carry them out that they just can't move
> forward. This
> > isn't
> > necessarily about George's vision as presented
> here - I'd suggest that
> > county's Planning Department has created some
> similar problems.
> >
> > (Incidentally, I'm a fan of a concrete project
> George worked on in
> > Dryden, the Comprehensive Plan, though I suspect
> that George would
> > consider that plan less than compatible with the
> vision he presents
> > here.
> >
> > <http://livingindryden.org/2007/05/
> > three_experiences_with_plans_1.html>
> >
> > )
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Simon St.Laurent
> > http://livingindryden.org/
> > _______________________________________________
> > For more information about sustainability in the
> Tompkins County
> > area, please visit:
> http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/
> >
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> for:
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> Marlo Capoccia
> Garden Gate
> www.gardengatedelivery.com
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> For more information about sustainability in the
> Tompkins County area, please visit:
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>
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humankind are to survive and enjoy a tolerable future" ---Robert Hart
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