urbanSTL

You still want it to be dense enough to feel like a city, but I understand you don't want to be crammed in like a pack of sardines.

And about those buses:



There are plenty of cities where middle class people DO ride the bus. If the buses are clean and well built, if they come on time, and if there are shelters at every stop, then buses are the ideal form of transportation.



Recently got back from Madison, WI where the buses were packed constantly with folks going to and from work. In 20-degree weather, there were even yuppie moms with kids in strollers taking the bus.



The failure of the bus system in most places is based on self-fulfilling prophecies and disinvestment.



Fixed rail is a 19th century solution to 21 century problems.

In Denver they have a "Washington Ave" With all the shops etc. So what they do is have dedicated buses just go up and down that one long street. It is free for everyone. Of course they decorate them and everything to distinguish them from the regular transit buses.

Luftmensch wrote:The density fetish on this website is out of control. The most vibrant neighborhoods in New York City are mostly low-rise - even townhomes. Vast swathes of Lincoln Park in Chicago are also low, low, low. The "self-sufficient" towers are often soulless and dead and do nothing for their surroundings.



Be careful what you wish for.

=D> =D> =D>



As I've said many times, give me horizontal density over vertical density any day.



With more of the former, the latter is sure to follow anyway.

Luftmensch wrote:The density fetish on this website is out of control. The most vibrant neighborhoods in New York City are mostly low-rise - even townhomes. Vast swathes of Lincoln Park in Chicago are also low, low, low. The "self-sufficient" towers are often soulless and dead and do nothing for their surroundings.



Be careful what you wish for.

I want density, not necessarily height.

Luftmensch wrote:The density fetish on this website is out of control. The most vibrant neighborhoods in New York City are mostly low-rise - even townhomes. Vast swathes of Lincoln Park in Chicago are also low, low, low. The "self-sufficient" towers are often soulless and dead and do nothing for their surroundings.



Be careful what you wish for.

Agreed. There is something about living in a high-rise -- it becomes very easy to go up the elevator, walk down the hall, into your 'vault', and then ignore everything around you. Compare to a midrise with stairs, where it's more common to talk across balconys, talk with neighbors in the hall or just outside.



Maybe it's the "elevator effect": When people who don't know each other are a distance away they will make eye contact, say hello, or some other acknowledgement. But put them close together in a confined space and they will act as if noone else is there.

By density, I think some mean building density, i.e. having a building in every lot and having the majority of them open up to the street.

stlmike wrote:By density, I think some mean building density, i.e. having a building in every lot and having the majority of them open up to the street.

I agree. Although I do think there should be some more high rises. I mean we are talking about Downtown.



Also, I do not like the GEW lofts at Washington and Jeffeson. They are what you see as you are traveling West down Washington. It's like Washington Ave is pointing at them and framing them. I just think it would be good if there was a better looking building there.