Europe beats the US for walkable, livable cities, study shows
Cities such as Zurich and Dublin found to have key services accessible within 15 minutes for more than 95% of residents
Cities built before cars are more compact than those built after cars.
Now test Milton Keynes for walkability.
As so often with the Guardian, this is a puff piece for authoritarian rule.
“15 minute cities” grow organically. If one needs a pint of milk , it is easier to go to the shop on the corner. In civilised countries pne can choose one’s doctor and go wherever they are and not have to use the most local one.
What the Socialists want is to imprison us in our own ghettoes – travelling outside this appointed area will punishable.
It is not a conspiracy theory, it is policy.
Curiously enough, small cities with a population around half a million are also more walkable
Although Tokyo, for example, is also very walkable, up to a point.
My main problem with the 15 minute cities concept is that it was dreamed up by architects and planners, whose record over the past century is almost100% failure, and misery for the poor sods who have to live in the results of their bright ideas.
In the days before the UK discovered windmills and solar panels the country ran on coal. Dug up by sturdy miners, who no doubt walked to work in minutes from their modest terrace houses. Close to work, corner store, chapel. Probably the sort of Utopia the idiot planners have in mind.
All cities are walkable and livable as long as you don’t suffer from Diversity.
Cities built before cars are more compact than those built after cars.
A great deal of London was built before cars came into regular use. You’d hardly call those sprawling Vicky/Edwardian suburbs compact. A great deal of London, even the oldest parts, is relatively low density.
My BS meter immediately hits 10 when I see the phrase “livable cities”.
A whole lot of people are quite content to live in cities and towns that don’t conform to the “livable” BS.
Comparing your city’s walkability with the US is pretty silly. They are known for being car dependent, they even have drive through banks. My daughter, recently returned from a visit there commented that only really poor people use the public transport there.
Jimintheantipodes,
I used to have to catch the bus, known as a pit paddy, to the colliery at about 04:30. Shift start was 06:00 so we had time for a bacon and egg butty and a strong Yorkshire brew in the pit canteen before starting work.
Steve,
“All cities are walkable and livable as long as you don’t suffer from Diversity.”
Every socialist likes to talk about how Japan is really good for public transport, cycling, walking. But every socialist would be horrified at Japan’s attitudes towards crime, welfare and immigration. And all of that affects how much crime you get. You let blokes knock up women and fuck off, you’re going to get little bastards. You don’t lock people up early, everyone thinks it’s OK to commit crime. And if you have mass migration, you get ghettoisation and people who group together against the rest of society.
Before I semi-retired, I had a cluster of clients in Milton Keynes. It’s not walkable, but great to drive because most of the dual carriageways are 70 mph. However, you need a satnav to drive it if you aren’t a resident familiar with the grid system.
[email protected]. I well remember leading a trip for clients to Dallas with a colleague. On our night off, we decided to walk from the hotel to a traditional diner about 250 yards away. It meant walking through an underpass. No pavements. We got 200 feet and there was a whooooop and a cop pulled up. He asked us what the hell we were doing. He ticked us off for walking in the road (jay walking) and then told us the homeless people living in the underpass weren’t very friendly. We walked back to the hotel and got our hire car!
Before I semi-retired, I had a cluster of clients in Milton Keynes. It’s not walkable, but great to drive because most of the dual carriageways are 70 mph. However, you need a satnav to drive it if you aren’t a resident familiar with the grid system.
Two comments:
1. You can drive at 70 mph, but there’s a roundabout every half mile. My fuel consumption goes through the roof every time I have to drive through MK.
2. The grid system is great, but clients never say “we’re at the intersection of V5 and H7” (as, say, a Manhattan resident would), they tell you they’re at “Dawson Farm” or “Walnut Tree” or some other twee invention, so you have to rely on a satnav (or, in my day, a map).
MK village (which still exists) is a rural oasis (with a nice pub) in the middle of miles of urban wasteground. B-i-L (why I still often drive through there) taught at a MK school and has horror stories. On no account try using the many cycle lanes and footpaths – their underpasses are a haunt for teenage muggers.
DocBudd………I think you describe a morning routine from the days when the UK was still a reasonably sensible nation. The decline of the UK could well start from the time breakfasts changed from a protein and vitamin rich fried meal to a cereal and milk abomination. When the UK was most powerful, the source of the power was the Royal Navy…….fair to say that the crews of aNelson ,s fleet never have dined on CocoPops or salad