The aspect of this climate change lecture I attended that I really questioned was that creating more dense urban environments would lower vehicle miles traveled and thereby CO2 emissions and that this would be good for slowing/stopping climate change.
But if more people move into the cities and create denser environments won't we be puching out the people who are already there. There is data to suggest that the new move into the cities is concentrated in the middle and upper class, which would mean the displacement of the lower classes that currently reside in cities. These poor people will be pushed out into the suburbs where housing prices are cheaper. From there they will have to drive into the cities for work, most likely with older cars that are not as fuel efficient. Since there are a lot more poor people than rich people and they will all be driving now the whole climate change benefit will be negated.
Although climate change will not be affected by this development some other things will. Emergency services, and various social welfare opereations currently opperate mostly in cities where their clientele are, mostly concentrated and with access to public transportation. What will happen when the people who need these services are more spread out and there isn't good public transit?
What will happen to the bedroom communities which have little to no industry when the majority of the population needs more service, but can pay the taxes?
Will the McMansions be converted into apartments like the old Victorian and Edwardian mansions in most downtown areas; and will zoning allow for such a thing?
This change in spatial distribution of economic class will have a lot of long range effects and I worry that no one is really thinking about it.
1 comment:
I agree and that's saying something because I'm not fully on board with the man-made climate change thing yet. Plus I'm a car guy. The simple truth of the matter is that cars make little sense in big cities. With so many people in such a tight area, cars just lead to congestion, frustration, and wasted energy. I'm not sure that richer people will be willing to give us their space to move closer to town centers, though. People talk big about "going green" but I see very little in actual action. Would a man who drives his Mercedes into town from his mansion every day downsize to a small apartment to be more green? I doubt it. Suburbs are far from town center which is an inconvenience. People choose to live there, though, because there is value in living in a nice neigborhood with extra space. People won't move until there is more value in the city center. With the inherent lack of space, I don't think the problem is easily overcome.
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