This commentary from the Austin American Statesman argues that the city's aim to become the country's most livable city is undercut by its low number of community gardens.
"The laundry list of green initiatives adopted by the City of Austin is a tribute to Austin's commitment to becoming the most livable city in the country. Green oases in the middle of urban areas, community gardens are a necessary part of any livable city. Located in areas easily accessible to residents, these public spaces offer land on which neighbors work together to grow their own food, thereby reducing fuel consumption and pollution emitted by trucking produce across the country."
"Austin is home to 12 community gardens. For a city the size of Austin, this number is well below that of urban areas of similar size. In Portland, Ore., the Parks and Recreation department operates 30 community gardens with assistance from the Friends of Portland Community Gardens. Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods P-Patch Program works with the P-Patch Trust to support the efforts of 54 community gardens."
"Unlike the public programming that supports community gardening in Portland and Seattle, the process for starting a garden in Austin is cumbersome and costly. Though the city does permit groups to use public land for gardens for a nominal annual fee, only five community gardens reside on public property."
FULL STORY: Banks: What's so livable about a city without community gardens?
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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