My first instinct is “yes” but then I thought about it and I think it’s just going to exacerbate the short-stay problem unless combined with other measures.
My first instinct is “yes” but then I thought about it and I think it’s just going to exacerbate the short-stay problem unless combined with other measures.
While I don’t disagree that cities give better access and is better for the environment, I do disagree about the independence for young people. In the city, it is not seen as safe for a young person, like under 10, to walk to their friends house in the same suburb. In the country that would be perfectly normal. I do agree, car transport becomes a necessity for events and meet ups that are further afield. However, that’s also the case in the city. Just no for every event due to better public transport, but our public transport systems are not all covering.
You seem to be conflating both the inner city and the current car-dependent sprawling suburbia, and in so doing you’re contrasting car-dependent suburbia with rural living. But my entire point is to contrast the difference between low density living (whether it’s rural or suburban sprawl) with the higher density that city living offers.
The thing is, when you increase density it becomes a lot easier to put in place better public transport routes. Our current poor transport networks are partly the result of how inefficient it is to deliver public transport to low density environments. When things are closer together, it also puts more things within range to cycle places, which is absolutely perfect for kids and teens. Statistically, kids in the famously dense and cyclable Netherlands are the happiest in the world.
When you’ve got reasonable density and eyes on the ground, and lack that soulless feeling of large stroads they have to walk or ride along, people feel safer letting their kids walk or ride to go play with friends or get to school or to sports clubs.
Oh, no, I’m not. I’ve lived in all 3 you’ve mentioned. I think what is confusing you is that everything is on a spectrum. With high density, there can be safety issues and transport issues due to the density. With low density there can be safety issues and transport issues due to the isolation. There are different problems with each. Denser living will improve, not fix things.