Comments on: The New Economy Counter-Trend, or The Shrinking Amenity Gap http://www.urbanophile.com/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/ Passionate About Cities Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:28:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Alon Levy http://www.urbanophile.com/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-4573 Alon Levy Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:35:36 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/#comment-4573 <i>The main question I have is whether Amazon's business model will be viable when oil goes to $500/barrel? The whole micro-distribution network might look a whole lot less efficient then.</i><br /><br />I doubt that. In Europe, gas is taxed in such a way that it costs as if oil cost $300/barrel. And yet, shopping is increasingly done in strip malls and Carrefour/Wal-Mart supercenters, Amazon is alive and strong, and if anything transporting freight by truck is more common than in the US, which has a better freight rail network. The main question I have is whether Amazon's business model will be viable when oil goes to $500/barrel? The whole micro-distribution network might look a whole lot less efficient then.

I doubt that. In Europe, gas is taxed in such a way that it costs as if oil cost $300/barrel. And yet, shopping is increasingly done in strip malls and Carrefour/Wal-Mart supercenters, Amazon is alive and strong, and if anything transporting freight by truck is more common than in the US, which has a better freight rail network.

]]> By: The Urbanophile http://www.urbanophile.com/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-4568 The Urbanophile Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:45:59 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/#comment-4568 TUP, thanks.<br /><br />Taking this further, it's been noted that the internet didn't lead to people working remotely, but rather tended to concentrate them in cities, where face to face interaction is important.<br /><br />But, I think it did change the boundary line between viable and non-viable cities for attracting the high talent workforce. Previously Chicago was probably the only option in the Midwest. Today, Milwaukee is very much a realistic place to live. Will Chicago continue to attract the absolute top talent? Probably. But there's still a broadly addressable market for Milwaukee to target. 15 years ago it probably wasn't even in the game. Today it has a sporting chance. TUP, thanks.

Taking this further, it's been noted that the internet didn't lead to people working remotely, but rather tended to concentrate them in cities, where face to face interaction is important.

But, I think it did change the boundary line between viable and non-viable cities for attracting the high talent workforce. Previously Chicago was probably the only option in the Midwest. Today, Milwaukee is very much a realistic place to live. Will Chicago continue to attract the absolute top talent? Probably. But there's still a broadly addressable market for Milwaukee to target. 15 years ago it probably wasn't even in the game. Today it has a sporting chance.

]]> By: the urban politician http://www.urbanophile.com/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-4567 the urban politician Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:22:42 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/#comment-4567 Great post, Aaron, and I think you're dead on.<br /><br />I can only attest to what you've said by my experiences here in Racine/Milwaukee metro, which is far smaller than NYC, where I used to live.<br /><br />If I want fine coffee, good books, movies, and generally high quality food, I need not go very far. Milwaukee has some decent selection of ethnic food, although of course it does not have the sheer volume of possibilities that you may get in New York or down in Chicago.<br /><br />Nevertheless, does that really matter so much? That's a choice we all have to make, and I think smaller cities are able to win that argument for a lot of people if you factor in things such as traffic, cost of living, etc etc. Great post, Aaron, and I think you're dead on.

I can only attest to what you've said by my experiences here in Racine/Milwaukee metro, which is far smaller than NYC, where I used to live.

If I want fine coffee, good books, movies, and generally high quality food, I need not go very far. Milwaukee has some decent selection of ethnic food, although of course it does not have the sheer volume of possibilities that you may get in New York or down in Chicago.

Nevertheless, does that really matter so much? That's a choice we all have to make, and I think smaller cities are able to win that argument for a lot of people if you factor in things such as traffic, cost of living, etc etc.

]]> By: The Urbanophile http://www.urbanophile.com/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-4564 The Urbanophile Wed, 29 Jul 2009 01:47:15 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/#comment-4564 hharington, I think Louisville (and even more so Cincinnati) have done a great job of hanging on to that local flavor. To some extent that might be both a blessing and a curse. <br /><br />As for Mr. Anonymous who thinks Louisville should try to shed the horse racing image, I think that would be crazy. It's Louisville's strongest brand asset and it has almost entirely positive connotations. hharington, I think Louisville (and even more so Cincinnati) have done a great job of hanging on to that local flavor. To some extent that might be both a blessing and a curse.

As for Mr. Anonymous who thinks Louisville should try to shed the horse racing image, I think that would be crazy. It's Louisville's strongest brand asset and it has almost entirely positive connotations.

]]> By: Mark Arsenal http://www.urbanophile.com/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-4560 Mark Arsenal Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:54:53 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/#comment-4560 This is all anecdotal. I think things like book, record and clothing shops have been killed by their own product evolution more than by the intronetz. The future of local businesses will be small manufacturers and provider of basic needs like food and handyman services, not expendable amenities like books.<br /><br />The music industry committed suicide slowly over the past decade, and now people don't have any way to hear about new music except on the 'net. That's what killed independent record stores.<br /><br />Most people who want to read any specific book would be hard-pressed to find that specific book at a small seller (in the past or today) - in the past they relied on book-finder services thru the local bookshoppe, now Amazon and Ebay provide a self-service method of doing this. Any serious reader usually has too many unread books on their shelf at home to just go to a store and buy stuff that's in stock. You only want to add to the reading list if you find out about a specific book on a blog or article that you just HAVE to read - so maybe blame blogs for the end of browsing?<br /><br />The main question I have is whether Amazon's business model will be viable when oil goes to $500/barrel? The whole micro-distribution network might look a whole lot less efficient then. This is all anecdotal. I think things like book, record and clothing shops have been killed by their own product evolution more than by the intronetz. The future of local businesses will be small manufacturers and provider of basic needs like food and handyman services, not expendable amenities like books.

The music industry committed suicide slowly over the past decade, and now people don't have any way to hear about new music except on the 'net. That's what killed independent record stores.

Most people who want to read any specific book would be hard-pressed to find that specific book at a small seller (in the past or today) – in the past they relied on book-finder services thru the local bookshoppe, now Amazon and Ebay provide a self-service method of doing this. Any serious reader usually has too many unread books on their shelf at home to just go to a store and buy stuff that's in stock. You only want to add to the reading list if you find out about a specific book on a blog or article that you just HAVE to read – so maybe blame blogs for the end of browsing?

The main question I have is whether Amazon's business model will be viable when oil goes to $500/barrel? The whole micro-distribution network might look a whole lot less efficient then.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.urbanophile.com/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-4559 Anonymous Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:56:40 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/#comment-4559 Anon 3:04<br /><br />Why would Louisville want to 'dump' the horseracing image? The Ky Derby/Oaks/Breeders Cup and Friday Nite racing are not examples of a dying sport.<br /><br />Would suggest Indy hang on to the racing image itself. Without that image...what is Indy's claim to fame? Anon 3:04

Why would Louisville want to 'dump' the horseracing image? The Ky Derby/Oaks/Breeders Cup and Friday Nite racing are not examples of a dying sport.

Would suggest Indy hang on to the racing image itself. Without that image…what is Indy's claim to fame?

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.urbanophile.com/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-4558 Anonymous Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:15:08 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/#comment-4558 BTW Urban I like to call it the iPhone effect. LOL BTW Urban I like to call it the iPhone effect. LOL

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.urbanophile.com/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-4557 Anonymous Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:04:54 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/#comment-4557 Also,to hharington Louisiville needs to:<br />1. Dump the horse racing image.<br />2. Dump the horse racing image.<br />3. Dump the horse racing image.<br />4. Dump the horse racing image.<br />5. Dump the horse racing image.<br />6. Dump the horse racing image.<br /><br />you get the point. It's a dead sport. Much like Indy is sheading the racing imagine. Also,to hharington Louisiville needs to:
1. Dump the horse racing image.
2. Dump the horse racing image.
3. Dump the horse racing image.
4. Dump the horse racing image.
5. Dump the horse racing image.
6. Dump the horse racing image.

you get the point. It's a dead sport. Much like Indy is sheading the racing imagine.

]]> By: Janice http://www.urbanophile.com/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-4554 Janice Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:58:13 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/#comment-4554 Funny, I was just in Columbus, OH this weekend for a wedding. As a Chicagoan, I didn't expect much. I was proved wrong. Columbus is now the largest city in OH. Its downtown has lovingly restored older buildings and at least three nice nightlife areas within walking distance of where I was staying. True, I didn't see much retail but then I wasn't looking for it. Funny, I was just in Columbus, OH this weekend for a wedding. As a Chicagoan, I didn't expect much. I was proved wrong. Columbus is now the largest city in OH. Its downtown has lovingly restored older buildings and at least three nice nightlife areas within walking distance of where I was staying. True, I didn't see much retail but then I wasn't looking for it.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.urbanophile.com/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/comment-page-1/#comment-4553 Anonymous Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:02:25 +0000 http://www.arenn.com/blog/2009/07/27/the-new-economy-counter-trend-or-the-shrinking-amenity-gap/#comment-4553 Also, something done in downtown Indianpolis with a "local flavor" look at Lucuas Oil Stadiou. "The Luke" to us locals. Lucas Olil tried to do it all in sports cars and things...it completely misses the point. "The Colts" are the local flavor. What this really points out is that Lucuas Oil know nothing about the real Indianapolis. Also, something done in downtown Indianpolis with a "local flavor" look at Lucuas Oil Stadiou. "The Luke" to us locals. Lucas Olil tried to do it all in sports cars and things…it completely misses the point. "The Colts" are the local flavor. What this really points out is that Lucuas Oil know nothing about the real Indianapolis.

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