A few things to know this week: March 25th, 2022
'I can't move my car': Americans struggle as vehicle expenses rise | US news | The Guardian
Costs to continue to rise for single family detached homes. Suburbs made up of primarily single family subdivisions are (or should be) raising property taxes and fees required to serve and maintain the massive amounts of road and utility infrastructure required by these spread out patterns. And now, the cost of cars and gas that are a necessity to live and get to, from, and around these places is also on the rise. Not surprisingly, many of the people living in these places are complaining about the cost rises and being priced out of their homes. The reality is that autocentric suburbs have been and still are subsidized during their early years, which makes them appear more affordable (for some) than they really are. While the prices will certainly fluctuate some, prices for homes, cars, and gas are generally going to continue going up from here on. If you're not already, you and the city you live in or work for need to be thinking about where people will live and how they'll get around when they can no longer afford the "suburban single family home with 2 or 3 cars" lifestyle. It's coming much faster than you might think. – Kevin
Prosper Leaders, Residents Say Potential Plan For US 380 Could Have 'Crushing Impact'
Before I went to college, we would always take a spring family camping trip to Lake Ray Roberts campground in Pilot Point, Texas. On a good day, the drive could take just over an hour; however, hit at the wrong time of day US Highway 380 could add 30-45 minutes to our trip. Today, the highway is slated to be widened or rerouted, with many of the potential routes affecting many residents, developers, and business owners' land. Residents are not happy as news of their 'Good Party' of sprawl, small city 'charm', and cheap property values has drawn too many folks to their area, diluting the characteristics that make the area desirable. It is a perfect example of how a sprawling development pattern can only support so many people before it breaks down.
Another note: you have probably heard me post about the I-49 Inner City Connector in Shreveport, Louisiana a time or two in this newsletter or my social media. It's very revealing to hear these developer's opposition to this highway in Texas, yet see other business people justify a highway in Shreveport for the 'greater good' even though some folks will be displaced. I hope we can move toward a place where we see the harms of car-centric sprawl for all people. – Tim
Setting a whole new pattern for rural growth | CNU
It is possible! A self-sustaining town built incrementally with engaged residents currently exists and is doing what everyone else is too afraid to do. With limited and low impact infrastructure, Carlton Landing has attracted many people due to its uniqueness. The residents all engage and support the many community amenities and feel like they are the ones responsible for making this a successful development. Having a mix of different type of housing and businesses, their strategy is incremental growth. This takes away the pressure of being forced to fill in spaces before they are needed. Breaking off from building what we’re used to seeing and exploring different ideas can obviously pay off seeing that Carlton Landing has won a list of awards so far. – Karina
Why Aren't Modern Suburbs Built on a Walkable Grid? | HowStuffWorks
Nothing new here, but let’s dig in. A little history lesson around why our suburbs are designed the way they are and how they’ve impacted life in and around those areas. One point I think is important is that the winding, wider streets lack the frontage that a gridded system has to accommodate for more of a mix for offices, retail, and neighborhood commercial.
While it’s important to have diversity of development types in a community, it is also important to be realistic with what the city can pay for, promote, and prioritize in the future. Suburban residential with winding streets and large lots does not bring in the level of revenue the city needs to be fiscally resilient. Our work goes deeper into this, and would love to share more with your community. – Ryan
University Project Looks at Communities in Iowa That Are 'Shrinking Smart' | The Daily Yonder
The Shrink Smart Project, funded by the National Science Foundation, utilizes data and observations from six small towns in Iowa to help serve as an example for how communities who are struggling with a shrinking population can shift the focus to quality of life and still succeed and meet the needs of its dedicated resident and businesses. It’s a great reminder of quality, not quantity. We so often forget this in city building and the focus on quality can even improve the plight of the communities. I’ll be watching to see how this unfolds, it’s a terrific idea. – AJ
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