Yessss this article. I think one thing we misunderstand in the US is that density does not have to mean towering buildings. What it does mean is using the space we have *much* more efficiently. What does this look like? Building for mixed use, parting ways with our water-hungry lawns, not dedicating half of our land to cars. What happens when you do that? You fill every nook and cranny with 3-4 story buildings to create welcoming, vibrant neighborhoods where you can get what you need within a short walk.
Think that would mean you would never see green again? Not so – when we were in the Netherlands (pictures below from Utrecht), we were able to get from center city to bucolic countryside, complete with cows and thoughtfully marked trail routes woven through, in less than 30 minutes by bike. We could’ve gotten there faster if we took the tram part of the way (and you’ll note that the tram line has grass along the rails to make it pervious along the route 🤩) and didn’t stop to ohh and ahh so much.
In case folks are wondering, I have a vision of what a peaceful transportation system would look like and it looks a lot like this. What comes to mind when you envision a more peaceful transportation system? ✌️🚸
Peace and Planning 
Leave a comment