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Locating Construction Efforts - a Clarification
January 31, 2008
I feel a clarification is order regarding my previous post. My position on where housing and other building construction efforts should be located was not clearly set out.
I believe that suburban building is inevitable. In fact, in areas of growing population, unless a community has a strong planning effort to focus new growth inward and upward, no alternative exists. But in areas that are already losing population (Rust Belt states/cities), people should seriously think about refocusing growth toward existing infrastructure. This doesn’t mean that people need to move back into 1940s and 1950s era spec homes built for GM workers (Flint, Detroit, etc.). Rather, people (and developers) should be allowed to possibly tear down old homes, combine small building lots, and construct new homes (recycling materials all along, of course).
Here in Oklahoma City, the existing neighborhood fabric is relatively intact. We haven’t had a housing collapse, and we don’t have neighborhoods with large portions of empty homes. Further, our population is rising. Therefore, the new housing for the growing population must go somewhere. Some of it is being focused inward, near downtown, revitalizing one of the most housing-devoid areas of town. But the development is also on the outer-edge of the City limits. It’s just a fact.
To restate - new housing is not necessarily a bad thing, especially in growing areas. In shrinking areas, it shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing either, especially if it’s focused inward. Overall, we should be looking at our patterns of development and our footprint on the world.
Posted by paul at 08:54 AM | Comments (0)
Overspending Crisis
January 30, 2008
I’ve read a variety of opinions related to the subprime crisis/housing collapse lately, and I’ve yet to form a specific opinion about who is “at fault.”
One thing I believe is that it’s definitely a multi-party problem. However, I do think one root cause is behind the mess - the inherent consumerism of being American. Now, I’m far from anti-capitalist, on the contrary, I believe in free trade and limited government interference in business affairs, but I’m also pragmatic, knowing that promoting unlimited spending to obtain false promises of happiness is a reckless endeavor.
This recent entry on Instapundit explains what I believe quite well… I especially like the comment in the first Update.
It’s hard not to love things - I know. But, as Christians, that is not to be our first regard. In fact, one of our first regards is really to give away as much as possible, not hoard it and spend it on items that only improve our lives here on earth. Making statements such as this are tough, because it’s one area where hypocrisy can sneak into the picture… but part of fixing the problem in one’s own life is recognizing that a problem exists.
As Americans try to fix this problem, I think it would be a good opportunity to change some of our priorities… less spending on new things, more family time, more reading, etc…
On a related note, I listened in to the beginning of the January Series Lecture from Bill McKibben on January 4, 2008. One of his opening statements really struck me. Allow me to paraphrase:
Why do we praise new home sales? Doesn’t the emphasis on new home construction and sales promote the denigration of the environment?If we were to focus more on home sales in general, specifically resale, it would put more emphasis on reuse, which is inherently more environmentally friendly. Reuse of existing housing stock limits natural resource use, promotes neighborhoods and community resources, and still allows for economic activity. Reuse can still use building trades - remodeling old homes could be a large market. Reuse allows existing neighborhood networks, complete with local schools and corner stores, to remain healthy. Reuse limits extensions of utilities, keeping capital money within existing networks, not extending systems without providing for enough funding to maintain them properly.
After I read Bill McKibben’s newest book, Deep Economy, I should be able to pontificate on these ideas a bit better. It’ll be a good book for winter reading.
Posted by paul at 11:17 PM | Comments (0)
Arthur Frommer on Rail
January 06, 2008
Arthur Frommer is a very well known person in the travel industry (Frommer’s books, magazines, editorial writing, blogs, etc.). He is also a proponent of travel by rail. He doesn’t just support traveling by rail abroad, or only on the existing rail network in the United States; he is a full supporter of expanding the American rail network. In an editorial in the Houston Chronicle November 27, 2007, Arthur makes the point that Amtrak and American passenger rail should be considered a public utility just as roads and airports are. Amen to that.
Here are the links to good editorials by Mr. Frommer:
Opponents of Amtrak rely on hard-to-understand ideological arguments
U.S. population growth defies the arguments put forth by Amtrak opponents
Posted by paul at 05:49 PM | Comments (0)
Tim Tebow Won What?
January 01, 2008
Michigan OWNS Florida!
Goodbye Lloyd Carr - good job on your last game!
Welcome Rich Rodriguez! Let’s keep this going!
Posted by paul at 05:59 PM | Comments (0)