This new obsession with urbanizing things. Somehow millions of people living on top of each other in high rises with no way to escape but rely on public transportation, is seen as the ideal life. You don’t want to own a home?
I get what you mean, but I myself believe urbanization is necessary for humanity to achieve progress without destroying nature. We will need to build more housing in the future, so why not do it in already developed areas instead of chopping down even more forests? Another thing I believe is necessary is to move away from cars as a primary source of transportation. They are huge polluters, and take up loads of space. I think we should develop around a network of trains, with bus- or tramlines to get people to the nearest stations. This because trains are more space efficient, more energy efficient, and faster over long distances.
It doesnt help that people buy up loads of property only to rent it out or keep them as "holiday homes". So much wasted real estate and forcing people into apartment buildings which are bought and rented out too unless you have millions to actually own an apartment. Apartments are one of the biggest drains on society.
I understand they have their uses in cities cos it's better to build up than out, but the whole housing market is such a monopoly and it makes me angry that I'll never even be able to afford rent on my own and will always have to live with someone.
I am gonna have to agree with you on this one. Unfortunately, tourism is such a big part of our society that is would be nearly impossible to decrease the amount of holiday homes. One solution I would see in the "buy up and rent out" problem in apartments would be to have the government build complexes where more housing is necessary, and then sell the individual apartments to the consumer. The consumers living in the complex could then set up a 'council' of sorts to sort out repairs and other concerns. Unfortunately this would require government regulation, and that is one thing many people around the globe do not like.
Cars provide extreme freedom. The ability to go anywhere you want whenever you want without relying on government transportation is one of the most important things to me in the modern world. No train can replace that.
The advances on battery have been insane. In 20 years you’ll plug your car into your solar powered home and call it a day. You’re willing to give up the ability to go anywhere on a whim, for some romantic idea of Parisian neighborhoods?
Appreciate the response tho but like the subject of the post suggests, I truly hate it.
I agree with you, cars are great sources of travel if you do not want to rely on the government.
That is why i am not suggesting to get rid of cars. I just believe that we should move away from doing things like widening roads or making neighborhoods where you literally cannot walk to the nearest store, and move towards expanding public transport and making cities more open to walking or cycling.
Cars are great sources for alternative transit, or travelling medium distances quickly. However, they are also dangerous and need a lot of space. Parking lots take up a lot of livable area within cities, which could partly be replaced by housing, commercial areas, or beautiful parks. When it comes to the dangers, take these numbers from the US national safety council
So yes, cars bring freedom and independence, but they also bring death and destruction. It is not a yes or no question, it needs to be balanced with other modes of transportation.
You’re responses are well thought out and I appreciate that but they do not resonate with me whatsoever. It doesn’t even sound better than the life we have now imo.
To me, there is no greater freedom today than being able to go anywhere at anytime. Sometimes it feels like the last freedom we have left. I’d selfishly like to preserve this for myself at the very least but ideally would like everyone to be able to experience extreme freedom of movement. I do not want cars replaced with anything.
I appreciate your opinion and get where you are coming from, but unfortunately most of the world still lives below the poverty line. Many people cannot afford a car, so other options should be readily available.
But lets just agree to disagree, otherwise we'll be going all day. ;)
28
u/Shitalkingmushroomd 28d ago
This new obsession with urbanizing things. Somehow millions of people living on top of each other in high rises with no way to escape but rely on public transportation, is seen as the ideal life. You don’t want to own a home?