|
|
May 18, 2013
|
|
|
|
 Bring Back the Car-Free CommonsPosted on Jul 27, 2011
Two inventions played especially important roles in radically redefining American social life during the last century: the car and the suburb. Many have lamented the automobile’s takeover of the urban commons and the subsequent loss of opportunities for interaction among city dwellers. Below, OnTheCommons.org editor Jay Walljasper talks about what we’ve lost by not re-creating the agoras, squares and piazzas of the old world. —ARK
Advertisement New and Improved CommentsIf you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy. |
Arctic Tundra ‘Will Turn to Forest’
Email 
Print
Share
Email to a friend
Newsletter 
Like Us
Follow Us
Get Our Feed
Tags|Bazaar|Podcast|About Us|Contact Us|User Agreement|Privacy Policy|FAQ: Comments and Moderation | Google+
© 2013 Truthdig, LLC. All rights reserved.
By Jeremy_Hughes, February 21, 2012 at 2:22 am Link to this comment
I think it would be hard to bring back the car-free commons. With hand held gadgets like tablet pcs and mobile phones, more and more activities can be accomplished on the go. There is less reason to go out to buy food with more and more drive throughs offering fast food on the go. It is a shame though, because I realy missed those times where it was common to meet on the suburbs for activities.
Report thisBy Auto Parts, December 15, 2011 at 11:24 pm Link to this comment
Many americans pride themselves of being able to afford cars, and some even boast of their fast cars or luxury rides. Few of them know of the cultural loss that the obsession with cars have cost them. Many of them lose their european of south American heritage as they embrace Americanism.
Report thisBy Big B, July 28, 2011 at 9:49 am Link to this comment
Fear not! In about 20 years when petroleum is running low and gasoline is $15 a gallon, we will all have “car free” commons back.
Of course, the commons may not be so nice by then. Filled with people sleeping on the street, and fighting hand to hand for a swelled up can of Bush’s baked beans.
Report thisBy Marian Griffith, July 28, 2011 at 6:16 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
The cheaper the oil the bigger the sprawl. At double or triple the oil prices Europeans are a little less keen to use their car for everything.
Report thisIf pedestrian and bicycle traffic increases it becomes more clear that a car ‘does not play well with others’. It outmasses and outspeeds everything else on the road and as such does not combine with more vulnerable traffic.
Add to that the increasing risk aversion (anything that is potentially dangerous must be avoided and if at all possible prohibited) and you end up with a recipe where cars are ubiquitous and completely take over all public space.
Get rid of the urge to drive a car everywhere all the time and you open up room for returning streets that are meant for living instead of for driving through at high speed.
By Awi, July 27, 2011 at 7:43 pm Link to this comment
There is a nature deficit among city dwellers. City children must be bussed to special parks and given nature tours. I prefer living in a natural setting where I can simply step outside and be a part of nature. The concrete jungle has no appeal for me although I respect those for whom it does.
Report this