Pat
2007-04-07 02:45:41 UTC
I find a number of things interesting in the group.
First, "everyone" wants major changes in their communities: more
growth, "smart growth", better "smart growth", or no growth at all. I
find it interesting that "no one" except me says "Hey, I like my
community. I recognize its shortcomings but accept them. I also
accept that it will change over time -- and that's good". If you
don't like you community, why don't you just move to someplace you
like.
Second, too many people are convince their way is the only/best way.
Cities are better than suburbs. Cities have too much crime. Lots
should be big. Lots should be small. All housing should be high-
density. All housing should be spread out. I know what's wrong/right
and no one else does so just listen to me and the world will be
perfect.
You're absolutely right. For you, that's the case. But the world is
a big tent. There are different strokes for different folks. You
might love something but that doesn't mean anyone else does.
Finally, none of you have even a basic idea of what causes sprawl or
growth or suburbs or dense housing. It is money. Let me repeat it to
be perfectly clear. It is money. It is NOT zoning or planning or
transit or anything else. It is money.
Almost all development is done by developers (that's why they are
called developers). Developers want to make money. So they are going
to develop in a manner that makes them the most money -- probably
taking the path of least resistance. If you want to make a certain
type of housing going in a certain place (or to keep it from
somewhere), then just go make it profitable and/or easy for the
developer. They will go to (and do) whatever is the best combination
of ease and profit. So if you put up all kinds of barriers in the
city, they will go to the suburbs. If you make the city profitable,
they will go there. Approvals are their life-blood. They will fight
for them, pay for them, or scheme for them; but they will go for
whatever is the easiest. So if you don't have happening what you want
happening, look within.
Oh, by the way they don't care at all about New Urbanism or Smart
Growth or whatever today's fad is but they will use it if it helps
them make a profit or market a development. They know that the fads
come and go, but the profit motive lasts forever.
First, "everyone" wants major changes in their communities: more
growth, "smart growth", better "smart growth", or no growth at all. I
find it interesting that "no one" except me says "Hey, I like my
community. I recognize its shortcomings but accept them. I also
accept that it will change over time -- and that's good". If you
don't like you community, why don't you just move to someplace you
like.
Second, too many people are convince their way is the only/best way.
Cities are better than suburbs. Cities have too much crime. Lots
should be big. Lots should be small. All housing should be high-
density. All housing should be spread out. I know what's wrong/right
and no one else does so just listen to me and the world will be
perfect.
You're absolutely right. For you, that's the case. But the world is
a big tent. There are different strokes for different folks. You
might love something but that doesn't mean anyone else does.
Finally, none of you have even a basic idea of what causes sprawl or
growth or suburbs or dense housing. It is money. Let me repeat it to
be perfectly clear. It is money. It is NOT zoning or planning or
transit or anything else. It is money.
Almost all development is done by developers (that's why they are
called developers). Developers want to make money. So they are going
to develop in a manner that makes them the most money -- probably
taking the path of least resistance. If you want to make a certain
type of housing going in a certain place (or to keep it from
somewhere), then just go make it profitable and/or easy for the
developer. They will go to (and do) whatever is the best combination
of ease and profit. So if you put up all kinds of barriers in the
city, they will go to the suburbs. If you make the city profitable,
they will go there. Approvals are their life-blood. They will fight
for them, pay for them, or scheme for them; but they will go for
whatever is the easiest. So if you don't have happening what you want
happening, look within.
Oh, by the way they don't care at all about New Urbanism or Smart
Growth or whatever today's fad is but they will use it if it helps
them make a profit or market a development. They know that the fads
come and go, but the profit motive lasts forever.