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Over the last few months, this discussion has entered an unwelcome and unprecedented new phase. Talk about residential density in Vancouver is getting un-civil. ...Read the full article
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H Leslie from Burnaby, Canada writes: Where is the discussion on the aging infrastructure's ability to support this mad building frenzy? How long can our ancient transformers, sewers, etc. function under the mega loads to which we are committing? What if everyone flushed at the same time?
As well, attention to the social issues of dense living has not been addressed or discussed to my knowledge.
And - how can children become stewards of the Earth if they almost never interface with the natural world?- Posted 08/02/08 at 3:25 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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Joe Lousa from Canada writes: While I don't always agree with the author I feel this article is spot on. I happen to live in the Norquay Village area and I am constantly amazed by the nimbyism. Getting letters how to complete the city survey in my mailbox. I even tried to join the local committee but they weren't interested as I was in favour of increased density. I can understand some peoples concerns, but they should educate themselves instead of trying to fight any change. There is an abundance of information showing density increase livability, you only have to walk around some of the neighbourhoods within your own city to see how it works. You'll end up with much more retail, you'll have libraries and community centres (within walking distance) increased public transit, more parks added even if they are just pocket parks. Density has the opposite effect these people are fighting. They are all worried about losing the neighbourly charm, let's be honest, most of us in SFHs don't know our neighbours, or if we do we don't know the guy in the house 2-3 doors down. This is due to use having our personal 2300sqft homes and huge yards and probably needing to drive to the supermarket. While in the denser neighbourhoods you have people taking their pets out to the pocket parks running into their neighbours there, or meeting them along the walk to the supermarket to pick up fresh groceries. People in the denser neighbourhoods are just out and about more, there is more to do around them, I'm sure the smaller homes probably don't hurt in them wanting to be outside either. But the point is those areas are much more neighbourly then what we are living with now.
- Posted 09/02/08 at 2:02 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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Jean Malice from Calgary, Canada writes: No doubt that if we all lived in a communal hangar we'd know our neighbors well... The problem comes from the terrible building codes in Canada. Cardboard townhouses are risky and noisy. Sure some areas along main axis are perfect for higher buildings since no one would pay for the land and the noise... "but rather granny flats, infill, townhouses and other gentle strategies that will allow families, singles, seniors and a variety of income groups to co-exist, netting strength through diversity." That is very cute and nice but let me tell you Trevor: when people pay high hard cash to get a nice home, appartment or townhouse it is not to live in the same street or block than those who can't afford it. Also of course the "green thought control unit" is at work here: let's make sure those who enjoy their quality of life - private garden- are made feeling guilty for it so others can impose them their vision of what quality of life is all about, shops, dog walking in communal yards etc... Yes there is nothing worse than the already green because they have to be re-educated into the new green communism... for their own good of course. There was a few months ago an article on the Sunshine Coast densification of waterfront and some globe reporter was ecstatic about a piece of west coast style inspired concrete that should be lining the shores instead of those homes surrounded by parks... So the densification push is just the acknowledgment that our quality of life cannot be maintained since administrations and government controlled utilities cos have failed modernizing their networks: they let junk being built and now we'll have to pay for it.
- Posted 10/02/08 at 11:27 AM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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