This isn’t just suburbs. I live in a major metropolitan area that has one of the worst public transportation systems in the country. Everything outside of the urban hubs is a series of gaint stroads, SHITTY box stores, strip malls and parking lots. It’s hideous. Yet every four years, urban transit light rail gets voted down. We’ve been brainwashed into thinking this is somehow quality living. I just returned from a trip to Tokyo and I’m missing the train system. I got everywhere in the city I wanted to be. I was out, connected to people and it was fabulous. Now I’m home and about to take my 40 minute commute (if I don’t get stuck in traffic) to work. That’s 80 min a day wasted that I could be on my laptop getting more work done. Think about that. 80 min a day that I can’t be productive. How is this better? Although I will argue the authors quoted cost of car ownership is high, I’ll add that when I drive to an urban core, it costs me at least $5 to park. So more costs. I spent half that round trip on transit fare in Tokyo. I don’t know what I can do in my community to turn this around.
Came from Asia so I took good public transit for granted. The first day I arrived in Canada, I walked 4 hours from a suburban Airbnb on a road with no sidewalk to a mall to buy a sim card so I could call a taxi.
You are ridiculous, if you rode a bike it wouldn't have seemed that daunting. The streets were empty ffs. I hated this. Yeah the city is poorly designed, but you're also weak and whiny.
Umerikkka is one of the saddest places to live. Youre fed propaganda about how this is the best place to live, meanwhile you cant afford a damn thing, and in order to have semblance of livable environment you have to kill yourself in an office job somewhere in an inflated city where people dont want to be friends and are in constant competition. And when you leave that bubble, you see the devastation. Stroads, food deserts, violence, racism.
Moving from innercity D.C to the suburbs of Minnesota was terrible to be as a kid and not just because of the stale people, but the fact there were long stretches without sidewalks. There was also barely any public transportation and NOBODY outside. All you hear all day is the sounds of lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Also not much shade and forget about sitting outside to relax. Pretty tired of the entire country tbh and can't wait until I'm able to move for good
I am glad that you have discovered the truth, Peter. I am still living in one of Calgary's suburbs. It tries so hard to copy the small town format, but, fails to emphasize the need to have walkable neighbourhoods. I love how Amsterdam and Paris designed their promenades/pedestrian walking zones. I also love how they incorporate their efficient mass transit systems with bikes (specifically Amsterdam). Add the vintage architecture and it is truly a marvel to behold. Notice to the people who spend more time in conversation and that they are never in a rush. It is such a contrast to life in North America's success oriented and high efficiency lifestyle. People in Europe are way better at bonding than us North Americans. Enjoy your life abroad. I can't wait to visit Europe again.
In the suburbs you would be in easy walking distance of multiple strip malls at every other intersection. There is much more to do there than in a forest of office buildings. Where people live is where they buy groceries, shop and eat out. Try and find a working class bar on Main Street.
The offices are in the suburbs. So are the restaurants, the supermarkets and the shops. Who still commutes to the urban center besides government workers? If you want to build an office tower or a large factory there is cheaper land elsewhere.
No trees, no bike lanes. This is what greed does. What Capitalism does. What Billionaires and lousy politicians do. What Wall Street and Banks do. What WE THE PEOPLE do. Me included. I want a do over.
Not to be an apologist to this, and it is absolutely terrible, but when you are used to biking on "lanes" like those, you kinda learn how fo bike in hostile areas. You also learn how to cross when there are no places to cross.
My grandma and her older friends live under CONSTANT ANXIETY about their cars. Maintenance, insurance and just being able to drive at their age. FLORIDA is unlivable without your own personal vehicle.
Now I understand why it was so important in American movies for 16 year olds to get a car, and if you didn't have one you were a loser. Meanwhile in London teenagers mostly use public transport and don't need cars. They're not expected to have a car. It's a luxury if you have one as a teen, not the norm. It also explains why US Driving tests can be passed by a blind wombat.
Car-free bicyclist here. It's not that difficult to live without owning a car. For groceries, set up a weekly farm box delivered to your house. Costco has home delivery as do most stores. Amazon sells most things. You cam avoid busy intersections by biking on alternate routes. It's not that difficult.
I was born in Topeka, Kansas, in 1956, where I lived until 1966. My dad, who worked for IBM Corp, was promoted and transferred to Kansas City. In Topeka, we lived in an older but well-kept neighborhood. Every summer, we held block parties. We kids had a blast! Wanting us to have a good education, dad moved us to suburban Kansas City. I remember asking about bock parties and just got a blank stare. No such thing, the world moved on. A piece of Americana faded unto the dark. Something precious was ditched so that "progresss" could happen. I do not blame dad for this. He wanted us kids to live in a good school district.
I actually like when cities and suburbs are driveable. Cuty centers where cars are banned are only nice for people who don't live there and can walk around without being disturbed by traffick. I left a city quarter once simply because it tooka 10-minute-walk to get to my car. So annoying. Car-free cities?? Careful what you wish for!! What you critisize here about Americab suburbs is largely because of the lack of maintenance and the bad condotions of the infrsstructure. If that weren't the case I would find much of what you showed actually attractive because it is so carfriendly.
it should be a mix of both cars and trains, trams, bicycles and you should be able to walk to your nearest grocery store without having to cross of behemoth of a road. it also stops you being lazy and becoming fat.
wow, you really misunderstand this video don't you. if people don't like it you should improve it. Keep being lazy with driving everywhere. the way these places are designed are impractical and you wonder why most Americans are fat when they drive everywhere and are surrounded by fast food places. it should be a mix of cars and other modes of transport like bike lanes, train lines and walkable paths.
