Cul-de-sacs, roads and more
I have been meaning to write about this article in the WSJ concerning the planning perils of cul-de-sacs; I started a post on the 5th and then Jonathan Miller at Matrix beat me to it. For some local context, read Charlottesville Tomorrow's post last year.…
Fake cities to replace real cities?
The WSJ had a fascinating story yesterday about the rise of mini-cities as a means by which to combat sprawl. Even though these faux downtowns contain tinges of suburbia, they're taking advantage of a growing backlash against the sprawl that rings Dallas and other U.S.…
Roundabout in Ivy
Following up on the Hook's report in March, WINA notes today that: (Supervisor Sally Thomas) believes a roundabout might work at the intersection of Owensville Road, Morgantown Road, and 250 West. Thomas contends a roundabout is a good idea when roads at an interchange, such…
Locked Out
Tying into the Jane Jacobs story is the Free Enterprise Forum's "Locked Out" report, released yesterday. From their press release: The “Locked Out” report finds that just 16% of Albemarle homes are available to families earning median income. The report also finds Albemarle County has…
Gas prices and real estate
Finally - something to distract from all the talk about a possible real estate bubble - gas prices that may reach four, even five dollars a gallon. These current and projected increases raise at least a couple of questions - Have you changed your daily…
Things I have not had time to read
Being away at this Leadership Academy is extremely challenging - business grinds slowly and I fear I am neglecting my clients. However, I am learning an awful lot; we have been spending time with Ann Atkinson this morning. Wow. Workforce housing *is* affordable housing Communities…
Regional transit in our future?
BoS David Slutzky in Sunday's Daily Progress: "It's definitely time for the county and the city to put their heads together and develop a cohesive transportation system," he said. "If you wait 20 years and start thinking about it, it will cost you a lot…
Morning links 04-10-2006
This is progress? Hat tip to Outskirts. Low-tech productivity gains a following. I have read 43folders for some time. Whenever someone asks me what the best gadget is for x task, my answer has always been "whatever works for you." It just might not be…
Morning reading 04-04-06
Economic and ecological truth Pod people ... dysfunctional layout of their physical environment -- the separation of land uses; the physical disconnect between houses, offices and stores built in pods; the stringing of those pods along feeder and arterial roads -- that they take it…
April’s Forum Watch
The Free Enterprise Forum's April Forum Watch is out. Take the time to read it. It's long, and chock full of good information. Zoning, water, growth, phasing ... it's all there.