4 ms·

Zoning is a good idea. The biggest problem in the USA is the complete separation of residential and commercial areas and residential usually means single family

• masklinn 4y ago
  > The biggest problem in the USA is the complete separation of residential and commercial areas and residential usually means single family homes. In fact those are two, or even three, different points: 1. american zoning is exclusionary, meaning you can't have residences, small offices or commerces, schools, ... in the same zone, each must be in its own zone, even if they have similar levels of "maximum nuisance" 2. american zoning has a fucked up amount of micromanagement, specifically in order to forbid multi-family dwellings (aka "poor people" aka "minorities") There's also (3): car-supremacy, with lots of places having insane minimum-parking requirements and many US municipalities having more marking spaces than people, which necessarily craters density, and thus increases distances significantly.
  • pandaman 4y ago
    I don't think it's true. I've lived in different cities in America and have seen plenty of retail in the middle of residential neighborhoods. There are even multi-unit residential buildings with retail on the first floor so the retail shares the very same building with residents. Same is for schools (unless you meant big universities), they are located in the residential neighborhoods to serve residents.
    • masklinn 4y ago
      > I don't think it's true. And yet it is. > I've lived in different cities in America and have seen plenty of retail in the middle of residential neighborhoods. Urban cores predate the invention and widespread use of Euclidean zoning (and of cars). They are generally “grandfathered in” mixed-use zoning, even more so as they were basically abandoned during the post-war white flight, for which exclusionary zoning was a feature.
      • pandaman 4y ago
        I don't think we agree on the meaning of "is" then. How can it be true when you yourself admit there is mixed use zoning?
• voidr 4y ago
  As a European, I have trouble understanding why people in the USA, do not feel the need to be able to just walk to get a few missing groceries, a drink or a bite. I used to get upset when I lived in a place where the nearest 24/7 was more than 5 minutes walking distance, proper wasteland! I'm not saying I don't get into a car and do big shopping runs, but sometimes all I need is a loaf of bread or to have a drink or two with a friend.
  • foogazi 4y ago
    Just get an Uber!
    • dagurp 4y ago
      That is a solution, but pretty much the only solution in the USA. In a European city you usually get multiple choices, be it walking, cycling, a bus or some sort of rapid transit system. What I hate about being in the USA is all the time spent sitting in a car. The day really runs away from you.
    • nephanth 4y ago
      Wait 15m, pay 30$, and reject a high amount of CO2 just for a quick run to what should be proximity commerce? I feel like you are stating the problem, not the solution