3 ms·

> I guess they'll just get disrupted by companies that can then. Or they'll make sure we never have more efficient cars, or cities designed around anything oth

> I guess they'll just get disrupted by companies that can then. Or they'll make sure we never have more efficient cars, or cities designed around anything other than being in a car 24-7, like they have done quite successfully for the last 50 years.

bluGill 3y ago
Sadly (as one of the few people honest enough to admit humans are bad drivers), I don't see significant investment in anything other than the car city.
Spivak 3y ago
You give them too much credit, people build cities designed around cars with no need for pressure from automakers. There's an area by me that went greenfield (well technically brownfield) to huge high-rise apartments, restaurants and shops lining the bottom, a new pedestrian bridge. The city was constrained by no one, they could have built anything and they're as liberal and progressive as they come. An area that's not even 3 square blocks has four brand new 7 story parking garages paid for by city and free-forever. To call it a massive success is an understatement, and largely due to the crazy amount of free parking making it far more attractive than anywhere else to spend a night out. They went from literally an empty field the most expensive real-estate in the region that isn't on a golf-course and competes with our downtown for number of non-resident visitors.
- onlyrealcuzzo 3y ago
  > To call it a massive success is an understatement, and largely due to the crazy amount of free parking making it far more attractive than anywhere else to spend a night out. Shocking. Motorists flock to areas designed for motorists, with free parking.
  - Spivak 3y ago
    Yes? I'm not downplaying that fact at all. It's that the city wasn't stupid and realized that this was what people actually wanted. The other trendy areas didn't invest in parking at all or privatized it and it created a lot of friction to get people to come out and spend money. No auto manufacturer bribery necessary. There are lots of walkable areas that have the same feel, and this new development are their lunch and tax revenue.

bluGill 3y ago

Sadly (as one of the few people honest enough to admit humans are bad drivers), I don't see significant investment in anything other than the car city.

Spivak 3y ago

You give them too much credit, people build cities designed around cars with no need for pressure from automakers. There's an area by me that went greenfield (well technically brownfield) to huge high-rise apartments, restaurants and shops lining the bottom, a new pedestrian bridge. The city was constrained by no one, they could have built anything and they're as liberal and progressive as they come. An area that's not even 3 square blocks has four brand new 7 story parking garages paid for by city and free-forever. To call it a massive success is an understatement, and largely due to the crazy amount of free parking making it far more attractive than anywhere else to spend a night out. They went from literally an empty field the most expensive real-estate in the region that isn't on a golf-course and competes with our downtown for number of non-resident visitors.

onlyrealcuzzo 3y ago
> To call it a massive success is an understatement, and largely due to the crazy amount of free parking making it far more attractive than anywhere else to spend a night out. Shocking. Motorists flock to areas designed for motorists, with free parking.
- Spivak 3y ago
  Yes? I'm not downplaying that fact at all. It's that the city wasn't stupid and realized that this was what people actually wanted. The other trendy areas didn't invest in parking at all or privatized it and it created a lot of friction to get people to come out and spend money. No auto manufacturer bribery necessary. There are lots of walkable areas that have the same feel, and this new development are their lunch and tax revenue.