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How do you expect to create "healthy, livable cities" at a time when cities are in decline, perhaps even becoming obsolete? First, the internet killed physical

How do you expect to create "healthy, livable cities" at a time when cities are in decline, perhaps even becoming obsolete? First, the internet killed physical retail, recently, the pandemic killed more businesses/opportunities and caused an exodus of WFH-ers, and in some cities there's a very visible rise in crime, drugs, and homelessness. Removing private cars from cities won't revolutionise them, when the roads are still going to be full of commercial vehicles, buses, and taxis. Yeah, it'll make it somewhat safer for cyclists and reduce air pollution and noise a little - but not enough to turn a declining urban dystopia into a desirable place to live. Unless of course, you're very wealthy and can live in a luxury apartment with good security and plenty of distance from the 'rough areas'.

ZeroGravitas 4y ago
> Removing private cars from cities won't revolutionise them, when the roads are still going to be full of commercial vehicles, buses, and taxis That sounds pretty revolutionary to me already? Why don't you think so? There's lots of existing plans to improve those other things too, pedestrian only zones, car-free superblocks, e-cargo bikes replacing some commercial vehicles, bike shares, subways and metro systems, bus rapid transit corridors, seperated bike-lanes, mixed-usage districts so that people have everything they need within a walkable radius. Plan for cars and you get cars, plan for people and you get people. Even if I accept your premise that cities are descending into "Escape from New York" territory, how does allowing ICE cars to spew pollution do anything but make that worse?
ceras 4y ago
> at a time when cities are in decline Do you have a source for that? Here in NYC things seem as popular as ever, with record-breaking rents due to high demand. Is it different elsewhere? Regardless, even if it's true that some cities are struggling, that only makes it more important for them to focus on improving quality of life: a rise in WFH means people have more options, and a city that doesn't want to depopulate has to be an attractive place to live independent of economic opportunity.

ZeroGravitas 4y ago

> Removing private cars from cities won't revolutionise them, when the roads are still going to be full of commercial vehicles, buses, and taxis That sounds pretty revolutionary to me already? Why don't you think so? There's lots of existing plans to improve those other things too, pedestrian only zones, car-free superblocks, e-cargo bikes replacing some commercial vehicles, bike shares, subways and metro systems, bus rapid transit corridors, seperated bike-lanes, mixed-usage districts so that people have everything they need within a walkable radius. Plan for cars and you get cars, plan for people and you get people. Even if I accept your premise that cities are descending into "Escape from New York" territory, how does allowing ICE cars to spew pollution do anything but make that worse?

ceras 4y ago

> at a time when cities are in decline Do you have a source for that? Here in NYC things seem as popular as ever, with record-breaking rents due to high demand. Is it different elsewhere? Regardless, even if it's true that some cities are struggling, that only makes it more important for them to focus on improving quality of life: a rise in WFH means people have more options, and a city that doesn't want to depopulate has to be an attractive place to live independent of economic opportunity.