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The truck in the room are cars, not phones. And cities built over the idea that you must have them. Walking even in a more or less urban scenario should be some

The truck in the room are cars, not phones. And cities built over the idea that you must have them. Walking even in a more or less urban scenario should be something usual, enjoyable, part of our everyday life. Instead most people must have a car, have everything too far away from where they live (or just drive a few blocks instead of walking). Cities built around walkability, with trees, parks, benches and so on, with most of what you need at 15 minutes away from wherever you are, may make part of that flaneurism an everyday experience.

olivertaylor 4y ago
100%. This became clear to me when I started commuting by bike. Cities are built for cars not people.
TheFreim 4y ago
> Walking even in a more or less urban scenario should be something usual, enjoyable, part of our everyday life. I've lived in a small city, less than 10k population (USA). Being able to walk anywhere and everywhere at any time is truly amazing. It takes 15 minutes to get most places in town at a brisk pace, if you aren't in a hurry you can take all sorts of neat routes. One of the times of my life I love and miss the most is a summer I spent walking aimlessly for hours every night, usually following a set path to start and then branching off. It makes me sad that some people have never, and will never, be able to experience that.
pivo 4y ago
I live in a very walkable city (Boston) where flaneurism is easily possible yet I constantly see people walking around talking their phone and/or with their eyes glued to one. It’s phones too. People, seemingly, will do whatever it takes to avoid being alone with their thoughts or simply present in their physical environment. Not everyone is like this of course, there are tourists taking photos with their phones too.
mahathu 4y ago
"Instead most people must have a car, have everything too far away from where they live (or just drive a few blocks instead of walking)." I think this is a very US-centric view! I walk everywhere and take the metro to university/work. I love my neighbourhood and it's really enjoyable getting off your subway station and walking home along bars/restaurants/cultural venues etc
kderbyma 4y ago
as someone who has never had a car nor really desired one, I find it a bit disheartening that my entire life I have watched cities prioritize machines over it's citizens.
- chrismcb 4y ago
  They don't prioritize machines over citizens. They prioritize citizens with a machine over those without.

olivertaylor 4y ago

100%. This became clear to me when I started commuting by bike. Cities are built for cars not people.

TheFreim 4y ago

> Walking even in a more or less urban scenario should be something usual, enjoyable, part of our everyday life. I've lived in a small city, less than 10k population (USA). Being able to walk anywhere and everywhere at any time is truly amazing. It takes 15 minutes to get most places in town at a brisk pace, if you aren't in a hurry you can take all sorts of neat routes. One of the times of my life I love and miss the most is a summer I spent walking aimlessly for hours every night, usually following a set path to start and then branching off. It makes me sad that some people have never, and will never, be able to experience that.

pivo 4y ago

I live in a very walkable city (Boston) where flaneurism is easily possible yet I constantly see people walking around talking their phone and/or with their eyes glued to one. It’s phones too. People, seemingly, will do whatever it takes to avoid being alone with their thoughts or simply present in their physical environment. Not everyone is like this of course, there are tourists taking photos with their phones too.

mahathu 4y ago

"Instead most people must have a car, have everything too far away from where they live (or just drive a few blocks instead of walking)." I think this is a very US-centric view! I walk everywhere and take the metro to university/work. I love my neighbourhood and it's really enjoyable getting off your subway station and walking home along bars/restaurants/cultural venues etc

kderbyma 4y ago

as someone who has never had a car nor really desired one, I find it a bit disheartening that my entire life I have watched cities prioritize machines over it's citizens.

chrismcb 4y ago
They don't prioritize machines over citizens. They prioritize citizens with a machine over those without.