27 ms·

Its interesting seeing some of the similarities between the OP and Washington DC. There aren't the mini cities the same way (maybe Reston or Arlington would qua

by pilom 15y ago

Its interesting seeing some of the similarities between the OP and Washington DC. There aren't the mini cities the same way (maybe Reston or Arlington would qualify) but the Beltway is the major highway for cars that circles the city with designated bus lanes on most of the in/out spokes. Large subway/lightrail network with MASSIVE parking structures at the perimeter to encourage public transportation. Fairly walkable downtown areas (especially the national mall area). And yet even despite these advances driving in DC is a terrible experience.

ImprovedSilence 15y ago
Agreed, another problem with DC is the self imposed limit on population density in the inner circle. Buildings in DC must be less than 3/4 high as the the street is wide, or something like that? I don't know the exact rule. Then look across the river at Arlington, and how they smartly designed for urban growth, and you've got some taller buildings, mixed in with vibrant neighborhoods, and single family homes just a few blocks away form the skyscrapers. It really is a kinda nice.
- bane 15y ago
  Buildings can't be taller than the Washington Monument or 555 feet.
  - pchristensen 15y ago
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Washington,_D.C.#Building_heights http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Washington,_D.C.#B... To preserve the grandeur of the National Mall, the White House, the Capitol, and various other key locations, the entire city is subject to strict building height limits. This limitation was placed in effect just prior to the 20th century when government officials realized that structural steel "skyscrapers" could overwhelm the city. In 1899, Congress enacted a height limit for the District prohibiting private buildings from rising more than 130 feet. Contrary to popular belief, no law has ever restricted buildings to the height of the United States Capitol or Washington Monument.[20][21] A revised height law in 1910 did away with that fixed maximum. The newer legislation, still in effect today, states that no new building may be more than 20 feet taller than the width of the street in front of it.[22] The current law is codified as D.C. CODE ANN. § 6-601.05. Thus, Washington has a relatively modest skyline in comparison to the majority of American cities. However the District is ringed by high-rise buildings in many nearby suburbs like Arlington, Silver Spring, and Bethesda.
    - bane 15y ago
      I stand corrected. Growing up in D.C. that was the urban myth. Better to just refer to the actual laws instead!

by pilom 15y ago

ImprovedSilence 15y ago

Agreed, another problem with DC is the self imposed limit on population density in the inner circle. Buildings in DC must be less than 3/4 high as the the street is wide, or something like that? I don't know the exact rule. Then look across the river at Arlington, and how they smartly designed for urban growth, and you've got some taller buildings, mixed in with vibrant neighborhoods, and single family homes just a few blocks away form the skyscrapers. It really is a kinda nice.

bane 15y ago
Buildings can't be taller than the Washington Monument or 555 feet.
- pchristensen 15y ago
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Washington,_D.C.#Building_heights http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Washington,_D.C.#B... To preserve the grandeur of the National Mall, the White House, the Capitol, and various other key locations, the entire city is subject to strict building height limits. This limitation was placed in effect just prior to the 20th century when government officials realized that structural steel "skyscrapers" could overwhelm the city. In 1899, Congress enacted a height limit for the District prohibiting private buildings from rising more than 130 feet. Contrary to popular belief, no law has ever restricted buildings to the height of the United States Capitol or Washington Monument.[20][21] A revised height law in 1910 did away with that fixed maximum. The newer legislation, still in effect today, states that no new building may be more than 20 feet taller than the width of the street in front of it.[22] The current law is codified as D.C. CODE ANN. § 6-601.05. Thus, Washington has a relatively modest skyline in comparison to the majority of American cities. However the District is ringed by high-rise buildings in many nearby suburbs like Arlington, Silver Spring, and Bethesda.
  - bane 15y ago
    I stand corrected. Growing up in D.C. that was the urban myth. Better to just refer to the actual laws instead!