Transformers: Overlapping Culture and Technology
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 10. 3.07
In North America our planners are obsessed with separating the cars from the pedestrians, the commercial from the residential; there is so much space wasted and so much less chance for creative interaction. Robert Oullette says "While that approach makes for a much safer society, it also reduces the chance for unexpected and creative adaptations. This [40 second] video—taken in Bangkok—illustrates just how adaptive people can be in societies where planning is an afterthought." ::Reading Toronto via ::Phil Goodfellow of the Toronto Society of Architects
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Anyone know how they signal the locals to get out of the way?
Funny; I always thought Planning was an afterthought in the States?
The impresssion I get from this article is that planning is deemed to be a negative constraint. In reality the US just has to much 'bad planning'. There is a distinction! Look at the best Europe can offer! then compare your average European city with your average American city. You guys on paper might be wealthier but I know where I would rather live, work, play!
That is totally awesome. I am digging that big time.
But - be aware that some planning is a good thing. The American Super-sprawl is as much a product of zero planing as this, and it sucks.
Here's a good article to write a contrary post about - a horrible disaster for a once rural area in fact.
I think it's as much about draconian ZONING as it is about planning. Right now it is actually illegal in most of america to build, for example, a corner store in a new neighborhood. That's not the planners fault, it's the zoners and the lawyers. Here's another ironic clip.
Guess this only works when your train moves at 10 mph or less -- must make for a slow commute.
Also, how is this train powered? Doesn't appear to be diesel -- no engine and too quiet. I don't see overhead wires. Presumably there's not a third rail that they are all stepping over.