This is a non-starter from the get go. Water will remain an unsolvable and unsustainable resources regardless of the number of times you pull that wish out of your ass.
Plans for a new city in the American desert
251–260 of 268 posts
Re: Plans for a new city in the American desert
#252Re: Plans for a new city in the American desert
#253Earlier quoted context omitted.
Jaywalking is a bizarre example. The criminalization of normal human movement through automotive lobbies and a derogatory slur is hardly a thing we should aspire to. A more worthwhile thing to discuss is the prevalence of people ducking their heads or rushing across streets when cars approach, with a level of embarrassment that would better accompany being caught defecating in the street (well, maybe not in SF.) Our…
There's nothing unreasonable in the concept that people should stay out of high traffic roads where it's not safe.
If it's that unsafe it should not be possible for a pedestrian to step out of a shop and into that road. Or the road should be modified until it is safe: speed limit reduced, priority given to pedestrians, or perhaps the road closed to vehicular traffic entirely.
What's absurd is that roads where people live and shop and walk are allowed to be unsafe for people walking.
Re: Plans for a new city in the American desert
#254Earlier quoted context omitted.
Its not there's no trash, go there at night, especially on the weekends, trash, cig buds, bottles piled on the streets, alleys, etc. It's deep cleaned early in the morning.
Considering its population density, even at its worst Tokyo measures up pretty well.
My point was they do trash the streets, somewhat on purpose, during the day you don't, but at night it's okay to pile the trash near the other piles of trash. It's only clean because they clean it thoroughly. Any other city could have that same staff and keep a city clean like that.
It's not culture specifically, it's city management.
Re: Plans for a new city in the American desert
#255I feel every attempt at community-by-design bears within it the seed of inhumane horror. Forget about the energy equation of building a city in a desert, what's the on-boarding process for prospective inhabitants ? Putting the price of accommodation sky-high to make sure everybody's in the right tax-bracket (or even earns enough to not pay taxes) ? Going through an interview process to only take in people with the "r…
I feel like deserts are instinctively slept on. It’s always sunny, nice and hot, low humidity, great for solar energy and clean. The only problem is water and the plan seems to address that issue.
Re: Plans for a new city in the American desert
#256Earlier quoted context omitted.
Savannah, Georgia is a pretty city, based on the Oglethorpe Plan back in 1733. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oglethorpe_Plan
Looking at https://www.travelsafe-abroad.com/united-states/savannah/ So... How Safe Is Savannah Really? Savannah is a reasonably unsafe city. The crime index ranges from medium to high. The main problems here are robberies and assaults, car theft and theft, vandalism, violent crime, and drug problems. Nevertheless, the historic Savannah district is entirely safe for exploring the area day and night. Better to be in a…
Those tips would be written about almost every city in almost every country.
We thought Savannah (in the context of the planned area being discussed) was great. The unique little garden squares are probably the first thing I'd replicate were I designing a new city.
Re: Plans for a new city in the American desert
#257Earlier quoted context omitted.
Some countries have what's called "buyer-funded development". Property buyers invest into shares of the development company which then uses the funds to buy land and build housing. Investors get much cheaper prices, developers get easy liquidity. The downside is that you have to wait a year or two before moving in, and some theoretical risk. (Which can be managed with proper legislation.) But the scheme works if you…
No, that scheme doesn't do what you think it does (and that scheme is occasionally done in the US, especially for luxury residences). Suppose that the residences will be worth $1000 when built and it costs $500 to build them. The pay-in-advance price will be around $1000 - interest. The pay-in-advance price won't be significantly less than $1000-interest because the builder can borrow the $500, and sell for $1000 whe…
You misunderstand the scheme.
With "buyer-funded development" the developer gets free liquidity, with no interest and no obligation to pay anything back. (Just an obligation to build something.) Obviously more profitable than having a bank take a cut for a loan.
The property is cheaper for the buyer because there are obvious risks involved for those in on the scheme at an early time. (And yes, it can be significantly cheaper, both because of the risk and due to opportunity cost while the property becomes attractive on the second-hand market.)
Re: Plans for a new city in the American desert
#258I'm very curious, have there ever been any "cities from the ground up" projects that don't turn out to be total shit that end up just reflecting the urban planning fallacies of the day? (Looking at you, Brasilia) I mean, all of the cities that are most "livable" in my mind are old cities that were designed before the car and thus have enough density and public transportation to make things both close and also the kin…
Have there been master planned cities of any reasonable size, designed in the modern era, but minimising the role of cars?
Re: Plans for a new city in the American desert
#259I am a regular guy with a regular dream. Imagine small villages with self-sustained planning, energy efficiency and agriculture. Imagine living as a human being close to nature but with all benefits of civilization. We will have hyper-connectivity available soon. This pandemic situation has given me something valuable after all. I can live away from the big city and be happy, productive and healthy. This grandiose fu…
I think Canberra was designed to be urban pockets surrounded by natural environment. Probably more pocket and less environment than you're envisaged though:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Canberra+ACT+2601/@-35....
Re: Plans for a new city in the American desert
#260Earlier quoted context omitted.
And you'll act this way just as soon as everyone else does first, or do you see yourself as being on the receiving end of the redistribution?
I'll vote for policies that have this affect, certainly. As a software developer I imagine my personal income would be lowered, but overall I still think I'd benefit from things like better healthcare and education provision, more accessible housing cost, not having to worry about my friends and family as much.
I saw an election poster many years ago which I have acted on since, suggesting not to vote for yourself but for those less fortunate. Never forgot it.