The future is dense, walkable cities.

[Paul_Chance]

One of the challenges in retrofitting an already existing urban area is the whole zoning and planning issue, trying to build consensus. Here, we've begun to move in the direction of the fifteen minute city, but it generates a lot of pushback.

One of the classic things about urban planning is everyone wants the cool stuff - until their street gets ripped up for two years while they're putting the bike lanes in, changing the traffic flow, and taking lanes away.

Then of course, once it's done, looks cool, and works everyone goes "yeah, I was always onboard". I'm not sure what that tendency is, but it seems deeply ingrained.

 

[TrailerHitch]

One of the challenges in retrofitting an already existing urban area is the whole zoning and planning issue, trying to build consensus. Here, we've begun to move in the direction of the fifteen minute city, but it generates a lot of pushback.

One of the classic things about urban planning is everyone wants the cool stuff - until their street gets ripped up for two years while they're putting the bike lanes in, changing the traffic flow, and taking lanes away.

Then of course, once it's done, looks cool, and works everyone goes "yeah, I was always onboard". I'm not sure what that tendency is, but it seems deeply ingrained.

Yes, I am being a smart ass but here goes. What sidewalks in your 15 minute city are designated for the homeless and drug addicts to shit on? Is there a designated park zone for encampments? Or will all those desirables be removed and dumped into suburbia or the rural territories?

 

[AlexBailey]

Yes, I am being a smart ass but here goes. What sidewalks in your 15 minute city are designated for the homeless and drug addicts to shit on? Is there a designated park zone for encampments? Or will all those desirables be removed and dumped into suburbia or the rural territories?

Ooh, what’s your solution for the homeless problem?

No doubt you blame the libs, how are you smart people going to solve the issue?

 

[BrightShinyGirl]

Yes, I am being a smart ass but here goes. What sidewalks in your 15 minute city are designated for the homeless and drug addicts to shit on? Is there a designated park zone for encampments? Or will all those desirables be removed and dumped into suburbia or the rural territories?

Give them cheap housing and a small stipend to live on.

 

[BrightShinyGirl]

What I’m learning from this thread is that people who don’t like cities and would never live in one, nevertheless have very strong opinions about urban planning.

 

[jaF0]

Urban Planning is exactly why I don't like cities and why I left one so long ago.

 

[TrailerHitch]

Ooh, what’s your solution for the homeless problem?

No doubt you blame the libs, how are you smart people going to solve the issue?

Actually the original problem goes back to Ronald Reagan's policies that dumped thousands of mentally ill on the streets to fend for themselves. The immense amount of drug use, especially opioids and fentanyl have added to that problem. Drugs are not really a right or left issue. Add to that covid and economic downturns and job loss and homelessness is always a possibility.

So what's my answer? Better jobs than fast food and low paying sales jobs at big box stores. But that takes a complete paradigm shift in American business. It means stop sending manufacturing jobs overseas and bring those jobs back here. Better education in real world marketable skills. Stop telling lids that blue collar jobs are beneath them. Help rebuild inner city businesses and give them the real police protection that they need so they aren't robbed out of business. Many cities are suffering from business flight because of crime and violence.

There also needs to be a serious ramping up of mental health services and offer them at low costs or free to those who can't afford to pay.

Housing assistance needs to be better funded so people aren't living on the street. Especially those with children.

I have no plan on how to implement any of this because some requires government intervention and some requires businesses to step up. Maybe you can put these ideas into a working model. Or maybe you think I am wrong.

 

[AlexBailey]

Urban Planning is exactly why I don't like cities and why I left one so long ago.

How long do you think you will you be able to take care of yourself out in the sticks?

Will you still live out there alone in your 80’s?

 

[Dribble]

What I’m learning from this thread is that people who don’t like cities and would never live in one, nevertheless have very strong opinions about urban planning.

And there lies the whole kaboom huh?

I love living in a city. I love living in the country. I hated LA. I think too many times people equate a single bad experience to the whole. That is foolish.

There is only so much money to go around. Priorities are not the same...even for people living in a city.

 

[Dribble]

How long do you think you will you be able to take care of yourself out in the sticks?

Will you still live out there alone in your 80’s?

Absolutely. Not a problem. When I get old and can't take care of myself...I will go to the beach...talk to God...and end it. I am not afraid of death. Why would I burden my kids like my parents have done?

 

[TrailerHitch]

What I’m learning from this thread is that people who don’t like cities and would never live in one, nevertheless have very strong opinions about urban planning.

Because what often happens, and Cabrini Green in Chicago is a great example, when urban renewal occurs they have to find a place to put all of the people that lived where the renewal will occur. I don't know if you are aware or not but Cabrini Green was a low income housing project that had degraded over the years to high crime and drug use. When they closed it down they shipped residents to the suburbs, like where my wife was from. They created a homeless problem and dumped it into the burbs. So yes, we do have strong opinions on urban planning when it includes asshole moves like dumping your problems on another community.

 

[TrailerHitch]

How long do you think you will you be able to take care of yourself out in the sticks?

Will you still live out there alone in your 80’s?

As long as I have to. When I can't I'll offer my home to one of my children in exchange for them caring for me. If that doesn't happen then I will sell and move into a retirement community. Although at that point I'd rather be dead.

80? Hell dude people in my family have lived to over 100. My grandpa lived alone until he was 94.

 

[AlexBailey]

Actually the original problem goes back to Ronald Reagan's policies that dumped thousands of mentally ill on the streets to fend for themselves. The immense amount of drug use, especially opioids and fentanyl have added to that problem. Drugs are not really a right or left issue. Add to that covid and economic downturns and job loss and homelessness is always a possibility.

So what's my answer? Better jobs than fast food and low paying sales jobs at big box stores. But that takes a complete paradigm shift in American business. It means stop sending manufacturing jobs overseas and bring those jobs back here. Better education in real world marketable skills. Stop telling lids that blue collar jobs are beneath them. Help rebuild inner city businesses and give them the real police protection that they need so they aren't robbed out of business. Many cities are suffering from business flight because of crime and violence.

There also needs to be a serious ramping up of mental health services and offer them at low costs or free to those who can't afford to pay.

Housing assistance needs to be better funded so people aren't living on the street. Especially those with children.

I have no plan on how to implement any of this because some requires government intervention and some requires businesses to step up. Maybe you can put these ideas into a working model. Or maybe you think I am wrong.

I think a lot of what you said is spot on - a lot of it is also what is commonly derided as socialism.

Right now the Federal budget has been tapped for housing funds and in most areas the only housing vouchers still available are for veterans with disabilities. Do you think McCarthy’s house will be interested in helping out?

Felons are often not eligible even when funds are available, so they stay on the street.

15 minute cities are designed with employment in mind, with a variety of services and jobs in close proximity to housing. Organized neighborhoods often do well with neighborhood watch type programs, and sweat equity and local community tends to get people invested in their neighborhoods, helping to keep crime down.

Many lessons have been learned since the housing projects of previous decades.

Mental health is in great need, unfortunately the programs available for the homeless these days are full of gatekeepers and rules that keep services out of reach. In order to qualify for many programs you have to already be sober. Getting arrested is nearly the only way to get into rehab unless you have money.

 

[AlexBailey]

Absolutely. Not a problem. When I get old and can't take care of myself...I will go to the beach...talk to God...and end it. I am not afraid of death. Why would I burden my kids like my parents have done?

Is that what you recommend for a national plan?

 

[Dribble]

Is that what you recommend for a national plan?

Wasn't your question. If you want to change goalposts...cool. Just pick a question...when answered...allow other people to live their life as they best see fit

 

[phrodeau]

If that doesn't happen then I will sell and move into a retirement community.

You can’t even find a HOA that would accept you. You think you’ll be welcome in any retirement community?

 

[TrailerHitch]

I think a lot of what you said is spot on - a lot of it is also what is commonly derided as socialism.

Right now the Federal budget has been tapped for housing funds and in most areas the only housing vouchers still available are for veterans with disabilities. Do you think McCarthy’s house will be interested in helping out?

Felons are often not eligible even when funds are available, so they stay on the street.

15 minute cities are designed with employment in mind, with a variety of services and jobs in close proximity to housing. Organized neighborhoods often do well with neighborhood watch type programs, and sweat equity and local community tends to get people invested in their neighborhoods, helping to keep crime down.

Many lessons have been learned since the housing projects of previous decades.

Mental health is in great need, unfortunately the programs available for the homeless these days are full of gatekeepers and rules that keep services out of reach. In order to qualify for many programs you have to already be sober. Getting arrested is nearly the only way to get into rehab unless you have money.

WOW! Common ground! All of this could be solved if there was a true desire to solve it.

 

[TrailerHitch]

You can’t even find a HOA that would accept you. You think you’ll be welcome in any retirement community?

What the Fuck are you blathering about?

1) I have no desire, ZERO desire, to live in an HOA community run by a bunch of bitches with nothing better to do than ride around measure grass height and tell me what color to paint my house.

2) All retirement communities care about is can you pay. My answer is yes, I can.

3) Dude get some mental health help because it seems you are delusional.

 

[phrodeau]

What the Fuck are you blathering about?

1) I have no desire, ZERO desire, to live in an HOA community run by a bunch of bitches with nothing better to do than ride around measure grass height and tell me what color to paint my house.

2) All retirement communities care about is can you pay. My answer is yes, I can.

3) Dude get some mental health help because it seems you are delusional.

You struggle to abide by Lit’s guidelines. The best you can hope for is to crash at a frathouse.

 

[TrailerHitch]

You struggle to abide by Lit’s guidelines. The best you can hope for is to crash at a frathouse.

And you are a fuck head troll posting nonsense irrelevant to the topic at hand.

You are what you cry most about here...a TROLL.

 

[AlexBailey]

Wasn't your question. If you want to change goalposts...cool. Just pick a question...when answered...allow other people to live their life as they best see fit

This thread is talking about urban planning to meet the needs of people in modern society. You stated your personal terminal goal and I asked if it’s what you recommend for a national plan.

So back to the original goal post: Do you have ideas for society that differ from your own personal plan of suicide on the beach?

 

[BrightShinyGirl]

Because what often happens, and Cabrini Green in Chicago is a great example, when urban renewal occurs they have to find a place to put all of the people that lived where the renewal will occur. I don't know if you are aware or not but Cabrini Green was a low income housing project that had degraded over the years to high crime and drug use. When they closed it down they shipped residents to the suburbs, like where my wife was from. They created a homeless problem and dumped it into the burbs. So yes, we do have strong opinions on urban planning when it includes asshole moves like dumping your problems on another community.

Urban renewal in the 60’s is widely recognized to have been a mistake. Instead of building small-scale mixed-use housing, they threw up isolated high-rises with no sense of community. Modern urban planning focuses on strengthening neighborhoods and reducing car dependency.

 

[TrailerHitch]

Urban renewal in the 60’s is widely recognized to have been a mistake. Instead of building small-scale mixed-use housing, they threw up isolated high-rises with no sense of community. Modern urban planning focuses on strengthening neighborhoods and reducing car dependency.

If you plan to pack people in to urban areas the only way to do it is to go up, unless you plan to sprawl into the suburbia you seem to despise.

 

[AlexBailey]

If you plan to pack people in to urban areas the only way to do it is to go up, unless you plan to sprawl into the suburbia you seem to despise.

SMH

There are alternatives to the old project towers.

 

[BrightShinyGirl]

If you plan to pack people in to urban areas the only way to do it is to go up, unless you plan to sprawl into the suburbia you seem to despise.

Or you can build Paris. 4-6 stories of housing with shops on the ground floor. That gives you density without blight.