Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The Aftermath

So what consequences will we have to deal with, as a result of our energy issues? The book The Long Emergency, by James Howard Kunstler, addresses some of them. For one thing, suburbia is dead. People will need to live in the cities, with easier access to jobs, public transportation, etc. That, or we will revert back to a more rural society, with most people living in small communities where they grow their own food. According to Kunstler:

“The dirty secret of the American economy in the 1990’s was that is was no longer about anything except the creation of suburban sprawl and the furnishing, accessorizing and the financing of it. It resembled the efficiency of cancer. Nothing else really mattered except building suburban houses, trading away the mortgages, selling the multiple cars needed by the inhabitants, upgrading the roads into commercial strip highways with all the necessary shopping infrastructure, and moving vast supplies of merchandise made in China for next to nothing to fill up those houses”

But there is a positive side. For example, those living in urban environments can bike or walk, instead of driving cars. And, wonder of wonders, it might just improve our health while we're at it. And city planning will become essential. As some people will inevitably move into the city, space must be economized. And it must be done in a manner that doesn't call for a lot of automotive traffic. The better planned things are, the more individuals can rely on more pedestrian forms of transportation. This, of course, is the concept of the "sustainable city."

Steven Wheeler put forth this definition of the sustainable city in 1998: "[the sustainably city is one where it has] development that improves the long-term social and ecological health of cities and towns." His ideas for this covered several topics, from economic land use and waste reduction to the restoration of natural environments. He also mentioned good living conditions, sustainable economics, community participation, and preservation of local culture. This is an ongoing process, and not an easy one. Urban areas have to be safe, with a lack of "slums," with available forms of non-polluting/minimal pollution transportation, opportunities for urban renewal, and aesthetics. All of these must also be considered in the long term, with opportunities for change and adaptation.

I realize this post is rather short, but it's basically just getting you to think. Suburban sprawl is unsustainable. As oil becomes more expensive, gas prices will rise. Consequently, it limits our transportation options. Any ideas on what can be done? Or how we can improve on urban and regional planning?

No comments: