The fate of the suburb is one of the most important issues facing Americas metro areas. While many have decried their environmental unsustainability, even those who don't agree on that should worry greatly about their demographic, economic, and fiscal sustainability. As early inner ring suburbs across America increasingly face decay, poverty, and crime, it is clear that the allure wears off these places once they are no longer shiny and new and people can simply move to another, newer suburb on the fringe that is. If most of today's boomburgs … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2010
People for Urban Progress and the New Grass Roots
I'm starting a new feature on the blog today in which I'll periodically profile great examples of positive urban change coming from the new grass roots. Today I'm featuring People for Urban Progress (PUP) from Indianapolis. One day back when I had an apartment in Indy's Fountain Square neighborhood, I popped into the local bike shop, Joe's Cycles, and saw two people having a conversation with Joe about a project they were working on to make bicycle bags out of reused fabric from the roof of the RCA Dome. I was intrigued and so introduced … [Read more...]
Louisville – The Case for 8664
Tuesday is Louisville's mayoral primary. This is one of the issues that matter for the city's future. 8664 has published the results of a candidate questionnaire on their web site. Also note that 8664 co-founder Tyler Allen is running for mayor. If I still lived in Louisville, it would be a sure thing he'd have my vote! - Aaron. ] A few weeks ago, JC Stites, co-founder of 8664 invited me down to Louisville to talk about the proposal and take a first hand tour of the riverfront. Even as a Louisville native, I had never really walked around … [Read more...]
The Great Reset
Richard Florida takes a lot of heat in certain quarters. As one of the most widely known economics writers, that makes some sense. Pretty much anyone who achieves a certain level of popularity acquires haters along the way. But most of the criticisms of Florida seem wide of the mark to me. Consider the one that he's in it for the fame and rock star lifestyle. Well, let's assume so. What's your point? Who doesn't want to be famous, or at least at some level well known in their field? I'll admit I'd like to be much more widely recognized that … [Read more...]