One of the paradoxes of car-dependence is that it creates a strong incentive for economic stagnation
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Replying to @380kmh
Specifically, it makes "traffic" and "congestion" into miserable things that the government and populace want to fight at every turn...
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Replying to @380kmh
...even though *high volumes of people going through a place* is a fundamental requirement for (& consequence of) economic activity
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Replying to @380kmh
Long before cars existed, commercial areas were *concentrations* of people far above the normal residential density
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Replying to @380kmh
This concentration was only temporary, of course--the market breathes in people in the morning, breathes them out at night--so it could work
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Replying to @380kmh
But since commercial densities are higher than residential ones, commerce implies a) moving lots of people to & from the commercial area...
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Replying to @380kmh
...and b) moving lots of people around IN the commercial area. Cars are lousy tools for this job
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Replying to @380kmh
The basic problem with cars/roads/parking lots is this: THE MORE PEOPLE USE IT, THE LESS EFFECTIVELY IT WORKS
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Replying to @380kmh
Everyone knows this--the best road is the empty road. The best parking lot is the empty lot. Unfortunately, commerce needs crowds!
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Replying to @380kmh
Now, don't get me wrong--crowded trains aren't any more fun than crowded roads. But there's one important difference: the train still works.
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A packed highway turns a 30 minute trip into an hour. A packed train turns a 30 minute trip into a crowded 30 minute trip.
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Replying to @380kmh
Remember, *country and city are different worlds.* What works well in one is often a hassle and nuisance in the other.
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