Transport Nexus - Latest Comments

Re: The Suburban Experiment, Explained

Ryan Richter — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:04:33 -0000

Yes, totally true especially at the far ends of most metro areas, not to mention big chunks of Las Vegas, for example. I think it will take a very long time for those areas to rebound.

Re: The Suburban Experiment, Explained

Ryan Richter — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:03:31 -0000

You're exactly right. Suburbs do age poorly. Look at the ones built right after WWII. For the most part, they look terrible. They are also locked because the infrastructure has already been put into place. It's fairly difficult to retrofit suburbs to more sustainable urban forms when you have to relocate all of that infrastructure.

Re: The Suburban Experiment, Explained

Hola Backgrinder — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:24:08 -0000

To me the issue with suburbs is that they age poorly, and when they do they are locked because the best renewal device would be to flatten them and start over with all new roads, houses, and shops, but because an older generation has already bought in it's too expensive to operate like that.

Re: The Suburban Experiment, Explained

Mary Slagel — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:16:57 -0000

I believe this is very interesting to think about especially in recent times when the housing market did take such a downturn and there are entire neighborhoods left half built with out any residents and entire neighborhoods planned out with streets but lack any structures. It's bizarre to look at or even think of entire towns abandoned but they are. People always joke about a zombie apocalypse but if you look at some of these places, you would think it already has.

Re: The Suburban Experiment, Explained

Ryan Richter — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:42:19 -0000

Thanks. It's becoming more and more difficult to manage what we already have which means we need to start making smart decisions now about what kinds of places we want to have in the future given our resources.

Re: The Suburban Experiment, Explained

Ryan Richter — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:41:21 -0000

I agree. I just don't want our ghost towns to be giant suburbs. Hopefully we can figure a way to adapt to what our resources will allow.

Re: The Suburban Experiment, Explained

Ryan Richter — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:40:25 -0000

I don't know if we have the politicians to do it. Rather, is there a will to change from among the people? So for people in cities, particularly in North America, we need to look at how we are building things and whether this makes sense for the future.

As for Toronto, I was there many years ago, but from the planners I have met from Toronto and the projects I have seen, it would appear that Toronto is light years ahead of most other North American cities in terms of building a quality place. For better or worse. But from what I've seen, I think it would be a pleasant place to live.

Re: The Suburban Experiment, Explained

Ryan Richter — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:37:15 -0000

Funny enough, I think what will be next will be what has already come. A return to development patterns before WWII. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Humans throughout history living in towns and cities have lived close to one another. The last 60 years have been an aberration in terms of town planning. As to the following next, who can say? Let's just hope we're using all of our available resources into making things right the first time.

Re: The Suburban Experiment, Explained

Mark Brody — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:10:26 -0000

Interesting read. I guess as growth becomes even more unsustainable, then ghost towns are created. What used to be blips on maps, become flatlines with no names to associate their past with their present.

Thank you for sharing!

Re: The Suburban Experiment, Explained

Krystyna Lagowski — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:13:56 -0000

I can't agree more. Cities all over North America are losing their way, and band-aid solutions just won't do. In Toronto, we have year-round construction and it causes endless gridlock. You need to be a mountain goat just to get around! More long-term planning is needed but do we have the politicians with the vision to see it? We can only hope.

Re: The Suburban Experiment, Explained

Amanda McMahon — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:56:33 -0000

what will be next - that's the question - and will that next, be good enough for the following "next"

Re: The Suburban Experiment, Explained

hardawan bayu — Tue, 07 May 2013 00:17:21 -0000

efficiency in developments, :) crucial thing that i don't even know how to start saying about it. but your post ignite positive thoughts about managing things we've already have. nice

Re: Union Station

Molly — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:46:57 -0000

LOOK at that ceiling! Can the architecture in this town get any more spectacular?

(thanks for the shout!)

Re: Wealth, Generation Y and Cities

Susan P. Cooper — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 09:08:28 -0000

Change is never easy. This certainly won't be. It isn't a surprise that the pendulum is swinging in favor of urban living. Where it will all lead and the subsequent consiquences of that change will certainly be interesting. :)

Re: Wealth, Generation Y and Cities

Ryan Richter — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:53:55 -0000

What I've been seeing is huge demand for living in particular areas of the city that have established neighborhoods, good schools, walkable, close to public transportation and recreational amenities etc. This drives up the price and increases gentrification. I don't mean to say that everyone from Gen Y will be poor, but rather, they have unique economic challenges that are particular to their generation that will favor city living. In Chicago, it's generally cheaper to rent than buy in many of the neighborhoods that Gen Y is attracted to.

Because it is true that home equity is a significant portion of one's worth, it is also true that that wealth is not very liquid. Gen Y is not buying homes in great quantities, therefore their wealth, whatever it may be, is more liquid. They may not have investments in stock, real estate, 401k but are likely to have some amount of cash and credit. Gen Y may not be as wealthy as their parents, but their wealth might be a bit more accessible.

Re: Wealth, Generation Y and Cities

Jay Nelson — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:12:16 -0000

Great article, Ryan!

Some thoughts…

If Gen Y is less wealthy, with stagnate/declining wage prospects, do you think the influx of Gen Y to the city is just going to make the city that much more difficult to make livable? To put it another way, how is gentrification (or even status quo) going to occur if everyone moving into the city is poor?

If Paris happens in Chicago, and the city center becomes luxurious, where is Gen Y in that instance? Because living in Paris proper is crazy expensive. Except cigarettes…those are probably cheaper there.

Historically, home equity has made up for a significant
portion of one’s net worth. How can Gen Y supplement that if they rent a floor of a three-flat in the city for 20 years instead of buying a home and building equity? Do they?

Re: Wealth, Generation Y and Cities

Ryan Richter — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:08:16 -0000

The challenge, like with anything else, will be how we adapt to these new trends. The hard part, as a planner, is telling people that the way things have been running for the past 50 years or so is likely to change. Because for many people, change is scary.

Re: Wealth, Generation Y and Cities

Jon Jefferson — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:04:49 -0000

I have been watching these changes as well.

When I worked restaurants down town, I was the odd one because I didn't live within walking distance.

Re: Phoenix

Susan P. Cooper — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 09:54:01 -0000

I have visited Phoenix a number of times and loved it. The heat can be oppressive at times but there are some really "cool" things to do there. I love the Indian museum, very much worth visiting. :)

Re: Phoenix

Ryan Richter — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:44:51 -0000

Trying to think of similarities between Tampa and Phoenix. Similar size metro populations, maybe? You surely have a lot more water, and humidity. Thanks for reading.

Re: Phoenix

Ryan Richter — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:42:51 -0000

So true. The only time I was there the temperature was 117 degrees. And it was May! It might be dry desert air, but then again, my oven has dry air too.

Re: Phoenix

Ryan Richter — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:41:37 -0000

I've been to Phoenix once before, actually Scottsdale. I was amazed at how spread out everything was. I'm from Chicago where things are much more dense and close together, like cities on the east coast.

Re: Phoenix

Jeri Walker-Bickett — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:43:14 -0000

Phoenix can get sooooo hot, but at least it's dry desert air. Thank goodness for AC.

Re: Phoenix

Kelly Wade — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:33:32 -0000

I visited Phoenix when my cousin lived there and its actually a really nice city. The feeling of it is way different than anything on the East coast that I'm used to, but for the most part everyone is really friendly and likes to do things outdoors and be active. I'm sure your sister and her girlfriend will settle in and now you have an excuse to visit a city to visit that you've never been to!

Re: Phoenix

Johnny Crosskey — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 12:47:18 -0000

Interesting comparison. I don't know a whole lot about Phoenix as well, having only been there once. But I can say that I learned something from your post. Had no idea that Phoenix was as big as it was. Guess I have an east coast bias (Tampa, FL.)