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If we're going to throw money at infrastructure, there are worse things to do, but understand what this is. It Is:
"My large, top-down vision today is good. It will fix the bad top-down vision of yesterday."
Same thought process and, I predict, same disappointing outcome. https://twitter.com/CityLab/status/1356735082296467456
"My large, top-down vision today is good. It will fix the bad top-down vision of yesterday."
Same thought process and, I predict, same disappointing outcome. https://twitter.com/CityLab/status/1356735082296467456
I know many people want grand, sweeping transformation to clear out problems and rebuild anew. It's a very visionary -- dare I say, Robert Moses-esque -- way to approach a problem.
This isn't how systems that respond to humans are built. This isn't how humane places are built.
This isn't how systems that respond to humans are built. This isn't how humane places are built.
These kind of projects may address A problem, but it crowds out innovation -- and the people who are working at the block level -- in favor of the connected and their rote approach. It's one-dimensional change with lots of baggage.
Our cities have had a century now of top-down, experimental transformations based on the theories of well-intentioned, but wrong, people.
We need an extended period of humility to focus intently on thickening up our places, addressing the real struggles of people living there.
We need an extended period of humility to focus intently on thickening up our places, addressing the real struggles of people living there.
Can we do both? I'm skeptical.
We generally justify putting off fixing sidewalks, filling in empty lots, thickening up because (a) it's more difficult and less comfortable in a human sense than the big project, and (b) we tell ourselves the big project will fix those things.
We generally justify putting off fixing sidewalks, filling in empty lots, thickening up because (a) it's more difficult and less comfortable in a human sense than the big project, and (b) we tell ourselves the big project will fix those things.
Building highways through cities was a horrible idea. The damage we did will be with us a long time. Highway removal will immediately help many places, and it's better than building new highways.
Although, the cost for this will be new highways in other places. We know that.
Although, the cost for this will be new highways in other places. We know that.
If we really want to help people, especially people left behind by the centralized, top-down economy, we need to focus at the block level. Cities can do this.
For example, KC would benefit from highway removal. Instead, I would prioritize this plan: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2020/9/18/the-local-case-for-reparations
For example, KC would benefit from highway removal. Instead, I would prioritize this plan: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2020/9/18/the-local-case-for-reparations
