Getting Around
This article http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/26/opinion/26thu4.html makes me nostalgic for Paris.
The only thing the author failed to mention is how great Paris is for simply walking, the best method of transportation, in which you get exercise and contribute absolutely zero carbon emissions (just like biking, except even in biking there is the cost of producing the means of transport).
I have serious doubts as to whether there is the political will in the US to build the necessary infrastructure for more sustainable transportation, or whether Americans will ever give up their gas guzzling vehicles without a major increase in the price of fuel, but if the cities do take the lead on this kind of thing, as suggested by the article, then there might be some hope yet.
The only thing the author failed to mention is how great Paris is for simply walking, the best method of transportation, in which you get exercise and contribute absolutely zero carbon emissions (just like biking, except even in biking there is the cost of producing the means of transport).
I have serious doubts as to whether there is the political will in the US to build the necessary infrastructure for more sustainable transportation, or whether Americans will ever give up their gas guzzling vehicles without a major increase in the price of fuel, but if the cities do take the lead on this kind of thing, as suggested by the article, then there might be some hope yet.
Labels: Paris, transportation
posted by Paul Salinger at 11:30 AM
1 Comments:
I think there are only two American cities that currently have the will, the motivation and the vision to achieve something like ubiquitous public transportation -- the kind of transportation everyone can count on: New York and Portland, Oregon.
Part of the problem is urban planning and our "tradition" of suburban sprawl. When you live 45 miles from where you work (and there are no trains), it's hard not to drive. But in most European cities, populations are centered. Even small villages tend to be compact little clusters, with greensward surrounding. In contrast, small town America is filled with scattered houses with big yards, so the towns fill up several acres.
A steep gas tax (or simply rising fuel prices) seems to be the only thing that will motivate cities and their citizens to think differently about how we build, and therefore live.
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