LogFAQs > #979323687

DarkDoc posted...

Like, one way to look at it is the very concept of a town centre is flawed and outdated. We used to have things close together because it was easier to walk to them all. It's been that way for thousands of years. But the reason vehicles were invented is so that distances don't matter. This opens up the possibility of not having a town centre, which is the reason for all congestion.

So now you can have your cinema in one place, your newsagent somewhere else, your clothes shop somewhere else, your nightclub somewhere else. And in the most modern version of it, your Amazon warehouse (which we've established very much DOES compare to a town centre, and does bring massive revenue to a council and to everyone else) can be absolutely anywhere you want. ie place it out of the way so it doesn't inconvenience anybody.

In doing so, it makes all land equally valuable, ie you don't have an oversubscribed downtown where a terraced house costs 6 million.

Did I just solve one of the world's biggest problems? What do the academics think of that?

Only problem is that this simply isn't working. Ignoring environmental issues for a sec, surburban sprawl is unsustainable on a financial level. The land doesn't generate enough revenue to sustain itself. This isn't just an opinion, this is a fact: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nw6qyyrTeI

The reason for congestion is cars. Spreading everything out makes the congestion worse due to all the extra distance you now have to drive. There is no viable solution to congestion that doesn't involve reducing the number of car trips that have to be made. It also doesn't make land equally valuable, you still have more and less expensive areas to live. People don't stop wanting to do stuff.

Finally, forcing people to drive everywhere adds a substantial financial burden that hits poorer people harder, as well as anyone who is unable to drive for any reason. There's a direct correlation between access to good public transport and economic activity and mobility

Meaning cafes and nightclubs? With a more even distribution of workplaces (ie offices and shops) you actually wouldn't need as many cafes in the first place. But as nightclubs, offices and shops are all going extinct, it probably doesn't matter anyway.

Pretty much any jobs in city centres. Those, food places, shops, malls and all the supporting staff.

That's an oddly specific number?

That's when the Tories took power.

It really is the case (really really) that you can't spend what you haven't got. It's why so many people are in so much debt. Also why Sudan isn't known for it's infrastructure or public services. As Michael Jackson said, "if you can't feed a baby, then don't have a baby".

Would you prefer to cut spending on roads? Healthcare? Education? Defence? Welfare? The police? Or would you prefer they put taxes up? I don't have any respect for people that can't pick one.

Increase taxes on the 1% and corporations and simplify tax laws to close loopholes. That said, government spending isn't like personal spending, especially when you control your own currency. On top of that, car dependency is a part of the reason for lacking funds.

To be honest, my driving experience is good enough. That's why I live where I live. My only use for a train is having it as a backup system, and for non-driving friends from London to visit me. But if I'm honest, it wouldn't matter if the trains went bust. They're selling something I don't care for, in a way I don't care for, just like Nintendo and Paramount and Starbucks and Wasabi. They could all go under with no consequence.

The consequence would be more people having to drive, making traffic worse. As I've previously said, as a driver this does affect you.

Exactly. I was in Wales at the weekend and there's a road that's a mile and a half, dead straight, going down a steep hill, great visibility. And here there were, 3 cars all coasting downhill at 18mph with our brakes on. I dunno what it does to the air quality in the area for all the pedestrians having to breathe in all the extra carcinogenic brake dust and exhaust fumes.

Sounds like the speed limit has overperformed at making it safer for pedestrians.