Chicago's future: density (Calumet City, Winnetka: 2013, credit, how much)

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by BRU67

I disagree, respectfully of course. Energy use, destruction of farmland and water tables, racial and economic segregation, and sub par educational systems in urban areas are national, not local, concerns.

Even global concerns.

[BRU67]

$10 says I can link the Bubonic Plague to suburban sprawl with an hour on Google

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

Even global concerns.

Agree.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by EJ3791

I think the feds should try to figure out neutral policies that don't favor cities over suburbs or vice versa, and let states and local governments decide which way they want to go in a particular area.

If that means finally ending the tax breaks the oil industry gets, great. The suburbs were built on cheap gas, and that is gone and never coming back. Urban living is the future as it is more economical to deliver services/maintain infrastructure in high-density areas.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

If that means finally ending the tax breaks the oil industry gets, great. The suburbs were built on cheap gas, and that is gone and never coming back. Urban living is the future as it is more economical to deliver services/maintain infrastructure in high-density areas.

I think the suburbs would continue to exist in an expensive-gas-future, but as higher-density nodes around transit stops (like the streetcar suburbs of the early 20th century). The sprawling areas between these nodes would become less desirable and fall in to disrepair or abandonment. Perhaps they would be inhabited by nomadic tribes of "road warriors" who battle in gladiator-like battles in "thunderdromes".

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I think the suburbs would continue to exist in an expensive-gas-future, but as higher-density nodes around transit stops (like the streetcar suburbs of the early 20th century). The sprawling areas between these nodes would become less desirable and fall in to disrepair or abandonment. Perhaps they would be inhabited by nomadic tribes of "road warriors" who battle in gladiator-like battles in "thunderdromes".

Most will, but the exurbs are likely to wither away and die.

Same thing with all of the urban sprawl in places like Phoenix. There are just some places people weren't meant to live, and even though Chicago may be one of them, the infrastructure commitment has already been made and there's no going back now.

[North Side Brandon]

In the future I think the Southwestern US in going to depopulate. They have huge water issues combined with the Oil Issues. I think further out suburbs that survive are ones that have access to the Metra Train and many suburbs do. It will help Inner suburbs like Elmwood Park and River Grove stop decline. It could led to gentrification of Cicero and Berwyn too. It also prevents the decline from starting in places like Norridge, Harwood Heights and Niles.

[EJ3791]

Originally Posted by BRU67

I disagree, respectfully of course. Energy use, destruction of farmland and water tables, racial and economic segregation, and sub par educational systems in urban areas are national, not local, concerns.

Well, they're both, but just because something is a national concern, that doesn't mean the Feds need to get involved in it. The Feds are good for uniform solutions, but don't see that such solutions are needed here. I'd prefer to see everything handled at a lower level of government unless there is a good reason for a higher level to do it.

[EJ3791]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

If that means finally ending the tax breaks the oil industry gets, great. The suburbs were built on cheap gas, and that is gone and never coming back. Urban living is the future as it is more economical to deliver services/maintain infrastructure in high-density areas.

I think suburbs will survive, but living there will be more expensive, so they'll go back to being predominantly middle-class and above. It would be cool to see a revival of street car suburbs, though.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

The sprawling areas between these nodes would become less desirable and fall in to disrepair or abandonment. Perhaps they would be inhabited by nomadic tribes of "road warriors" who battle in gladiator-like battles in "thunderdromes".

In other words, the current inhabitants of the west and south sides of Chicago would move out there. I could totally see that happening.