Don't Forget Roads, Says Kotkin

14 September 2009 - 1:00pm

Joel Kotkin explains why the Obama Administration's focus on transit is wrong-headed and doesn't do anything for the majority of Americans.

"It's difficult to imagine a policy that disses roads, small towns and suburbs could pass Congress, 80 percent or so of whose constituents don’t live in the favored dense urban environments. And what about the 95 percent or so of Americans who get around by car? More likely, any spate of new transit and land-use regulations will be enforced through the apparat. In one scenario, administrators at the EPAcould simply oppose any transport project — for example, new roads — on the basis of carbon emissions and potential pollution. States and cities with projects not deemed 'smart' enough by administrators at the Department of Transportation or HUD might be threatened with loss of funding."

Source: New Geography, September 14, 2009

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Kotkin's been keeping a low

Kotkin's been keeping a low profile since his beloved boom-burbs imploded. Now he comes out peddling his quasi-academic findings in favor of roads - what a shock!

Kotkin Shows His True Colors

In favor of auto-sprawl. Indifferent to the well being of future generations.

"In one scenario, administrators at the EPAcould simply oppose any transport project — for example, new roads — on the basis of carbon emissions and potential pollution."

That is shocking! How could they want to stop a transport project just because it worsens global warming and leaves a less livable world to our children and grandchildren.

Charles Siegel

Getting Around

Maybe most Americans get around by car because most Americans can only get around by car.
What we need is mode choice.

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If hundreds of people in your community raised reasonable concerns about a planning program you developed, how would you respond? Perhaps you might call a community meeting, or ask community elected officials to reach out to community leaders.