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Well, you're assuming that streets need vehicle traffic. If zoning were relaxed on the narrow streets so that people could run shops and small businesses then y

Well, you're assuming that streets need vehicle traffic. If zoning were relaxed on the narrow streets so that people could run shops and small businesses then you wouldn't really need to drive to buy stuff. Regarding pricing, much of the good pricing is due to manufacturing scale, which you would still have with a distributor or a cartel consolidating orders. I don't see how big box stores are the only way to have low prices.

DickingAround 12y ago
In terms of traffic, any faster traffic needs space. Could be electric bikes going 30mph, you can't ride that speed on a side-walk like street and in Europe I never get going that fast unless it's by a river (tend to be wider paths). On pricing, manufacturing does help a lot. But retail is part of the cost (always >10% of it) and the restriction of movement will apply to people going out or goods coming in. Unless there's raised or multi-level paths. That's honestly the real solution here; building up. An interesting question is why we build up without interconnection? Purely ownership reasons? Structural stability reasons?
- mark-r 12y ago
  If you're talking about interconnecting separate buildings at other than ground level, it can be done. In downtown Minneapolis most buildings are connected by second-level walkways called the Skyway in aggregate. This is done to accommodate foot traffic off the street, especially during the winter when the climate control is welcome. I suspect the reason it isn't universal is simply the cost.
- dragonwriter 12y ago
  > An interesting question is why we build up without interconnection? Purely ownership reasons? Structural stability reasons? In California, among other places, seismic safety may be a concern.
JshWright 12y ago
> Well, you're assuming that streets need vehicle traffic. If zoning were relaxed on the narrow streets so that people could run shops and small businesses then you wouldn't really need to drive to buy stuff. You still need to drive fire trucks and ambulances...
CodeWriter23 12y ago
Retailers tie price of consumables to convenience. Hence the bodegas that charge $1 or even $1.50 for a 1/2 liter bottle of water, while the big box store gives you 35 of them for $6. (PS I personally use a reusable water bottle, filled from a home filter) When your city is transit-locked so no cars can get in, retailers will up their convenience charge, because they'll know that you have to spend 3 hours on the bus, and rent a ZipCar to get to Costco. And they'll also know you will only be able to bring home as much as you can fit in your fold up grocery cart. You really need to look no further than Manhattan, and one of the suburbs in Bergen County, NJ to see this effect in action.

DickingAround 12y ago

In terms of traffic, any faster traffic needs space. Could be electric bikes going 30mph, you can't ride that speed on a side-walk like street and in Europe I never get going that fast unless it's by a river (tend to be wider paths). On pricing, manufacturing does help a lot. But retail is part of the cost (always >10% of it) and the restriction of movement will apply to people going out or goods coming in. Unless there's raised or multi-level paths. That's honestly the real solution here; building up. An interesting question is why we build up without interconnection? Purely ownership reasons? Structural stability reasons?

mark-r 12y ago
If you're talking about interconnecting separate buildings at other than ground level, it can be done. In downtown Minneapolis most buildings are connected by second-level walkways called the Skyway in aggregate. This is done to accommodate foot traffic off the street, especially during the winter when the climate control is welcome. I suspect the reason it isn't universal is simply the cost.
dragonwriter 12y ago
> An interesting question is why we build up without interconnection? Purely ownership reasons? Structural stability reasons? In California, among other places, seismic safety may be a concern.

JshWright 12y ago

> Well, you're assuming that streets need vehicle traffic. If zoning were relaxed on the narrow streets so that people could run shops and small businesses then you wouldn't really need to drive to buy stuff. You still need to drive fire trucks and ambulances...

CodeWriter23 12y ago

Retailers tie price of consumables to convenience. Hence the bodegas that charge $1 or even $1.50 for a 1/2 liter bottle of water, while the big box store gives you 35 of them for $6. (PS I personally use a reusable water bottle, filled from a home filter) When your city is transit-locked so no cars can get in, retailers will up their convenience charge, because they'll know that you have to spend 3 hours on the bus, and rent a ZipCar to get to Costco. And they'll also know you will only be able to bring home as much as you can fit in your fold up grocery cart. You really need to look no further than Manhattan, and one of the suburbs in Bergen County, NJ to see this effect in action.