3 ms·

You're completely right, most cities just aren't built for cycling. The solution is probably zoning. First, create smaller zones, resulting in more diversity.

by crote 8y ago

You're completely right, most cities just aren't built for cycling. The solution is probably zoning. First, create smaller zones, resulting in more diversity. Second, allow some light commercial use inside residential areas. Ideally, stores like small supermarkets should always be within a 20-minute walking distance inside towns or cities. Third, create denser plots: discourage single-story buildings, leave less space empty on the plots, and create narrower roads. The problem is the conversion, but it's doable over a longer period of time. If the proper laws are in place, this is probably doable over a year or 50-75.

ListeningPie 8y ago
Shortening the distances is not enough to solve the heat problem, when being outside 5 minutes with moderate motion resulting in needing a shower.
- mises 8y ago
  Exactly. Many people don't realize that Houston is not just hot but humid. How much water would all those extra changes of clothes use? All those extra showers?
mises 8y ago
> zoning Interesting point, as Houston currently has none. Arguably good for growth and business, though. > smaller zones, resulting in more diversity. Not sure I understand this part. Diversity of what? How? > allow some light commercial use inside residential areas This will be harder to deal with than it at first seems. Due to the earlier-mentioned lack of zoning, many neighborhoods have HOAs. > discourage single-story buildings How? For what it's worth, I'm not sure I like the sort of cities that are considered "bikeable". Houston was nice in part because it was so open and wide. There was lots of green space everywhere you looked. Compared to cities like NYC, I'd argue Houston looked a lot better. Many more "sprawling" cities have much more pleasant, open atmospheres , rather than the dull, lifeless cement that pervades every inch of many other cities. > narrower roads Not sure this is a good idea. Many people in Houston own larger, comfier cars. A lot own trucks. Not all need to, but some do: many people have ranches, and Texas is so big that there's a lot of driving. This means a bigger car is sometimes necessary to fit enough stuff. It can also be nice when you have to sometimes do almost 250 mi day-trips. On the heat issue, you need a shower after being outside and at all active for any significant length of time. Let's consider water usage: How much water would all those extra changes of clothes use? All those extra showers? And now to the single largest issue: flooding. Remember hearing about Hurricane Harvey? Flooding is getting worse because of denser stuff. I know many people who have been flooded by storms that wouldn't have flooded them ten to fifteen years earlier. Smaller zones? Denser plots? Less space empty? All of these will cause people to die the next time a storm hits. Many people are already discussing increased permeability requirements for this exact reason. All of this comes down to the same root issue: many people simply wish to force all cities into a mold they believe works for theirs. There is a very "coast-centric" view in many places, new urban planning trends are premised on cities like SF, NYC, etc. Cities with decent weather, no flooding, a central commute destination, etc. It's worth rethinking how to do this for other cities that don't conform to the mold of coastal cities, because trying to force every town into that mold is impossible to do well.

by crote 8y ago

ListeningPie 8y ago

Shortening the distances is not enough to solve the heat problem, when being outside 5 minutes with moderate motion resulting in needing a shower.

mises 8y ago
Exactly. Many people don't realize that Houston is not just hot but humid. How much water would all those extra changes of clothes use? All those extra showers?

mises 8y ago

> zoning Interesting point, as Houston currently has none. Arguably good for growth and business, though. > smaller zones, resulting in more diversity. Not sure I understand this part. Diversity of what? How? > allow some light commercial use inside residential areas This will be harder to deal with than it at first seems. Due to the earlier-mentioned lack of zoning, many neighborhoods have HOAs. > discourage single-story buildings How? For what it's worth, I'm not sure I like the sort of cities that are considered "bikeable". Houston was nice in part because it was so open and wide. There was lots of green space everywhere you looked. Compared to cities like NYC, I'd argue Houston looked a lot better. Many more "sprawling" cities have much more pleasant, open atmospheres , rather than the dull, lifeless cement that pervades every inch of many other cities. > narrower roads Not sure this is a good idea. Many people in Houston own larger, comfier cars. A lot own trucks. Not all need to, but some do: many people have ranches, and Texas is so big that there's a lot of driving. This means a bigger car is sometimes necessary to fit enough stuff. It can also be nice when you have to sometimes do almost 250 mi day-trips. On the heat issue, you need a shower after being outside and at all active for any significant length of time. Let's consider water usage: How much water would all those extra changes of clothes use? All those extra showers? And now to the single largest issue: flooding. Remember hearing about Hurricane Harvey? Flooding is getting worse because of denser stuff. I know many people who have been flooded by storms that wouldn't have flooded them ten to fifteen years earlier. Smaller zones? Denser plots? Less space empty? All of these will cause people to die the next time a storm hits. Many people are already discussing increased permeability requirements for this exact reason. All of this comes down to the same root issue: many people simply wish to force all cities into a mold they believe works for theirs. There is a very "coast-centric" view in many places, new urban planning trends are premised on cities like SF, NYC, etc. Cities with decent weather, no flooding, a central commute destination, etc. It's worth rethinking how to do this for other cities that don't conform to the mold of coastal cities, because trying to force every town into that mold is impossible to do well.