Sprawling From Grace, Driven To Madness

[Turtleproof]

This hits the jackpot.

Where we work is separated from where we live, where we play, where we love, where we explore. When we are forced to COMMUTE 45 minutes to get groceries, we are living in hellish isolation from the people and things that we need to be happy.

Commuting to work shouldn't be allowed, commuting to get BASIC NECESSITIES is completely insane.

[manco82]

insanity is trying to build Manhattan in Arizona.

[xxx2397]

@manco82 When they say new urbanism, they don't mean building Manhattan, they just mean not sprawling onto the wilderness and farms

[chrsunderwood4]

increasing. To escape this, people will only build other suburbs. Welcome to ugly Concrete Jungle.

[TheEMotionPictures]

@chrsunderwood4 Let's hope there's an opportunity to re-envision the suburbs. Build some mixed use communities on to of all that impermeable asphalt.

[chrsunderwood4]

it was a relatively peaceful, happy place, but in the 1980's, after twenty years or so, it began its decline into a ghetto where banks are robbed, cars are stolen, and women are raped. Suburbia is a self-consuming problem; originally, people fled from big cities to escape rising property taxes or to enroll their kids in decent public schools. Now, due to a false sense of safety, living, and better education, which one can receive more of among the various cultures of a city, taxes are

[chrsunderwood4]

To Hell with suburbia. These "communities" in which people talk behind the backs of their neighbors and look down on minorities or anything different than themselves are the results of laziness. It is far easier to maul nature and construct new tract houses than to repair and restore homes in cities. The metro Atlanta area, for example, has grown in population recently, but the cities have shrunk. Riverdale is a perfect example of the unsustainability of Suburbia; when it was first erected,

[TheEMotionPictures]

It's all about looking at these suburban wastelands with a new vision that connects them to the district, and provides long term economic viability. When I travel to europe I'm always struck by the maturation of their communities and how the architectural and urban planning value is appreciated, because it's worth saving.  Plastic barbie strip malls have no long term value and contribute little to the thought of community spaces. Watch the whole film on Net flix.

Best,

DME

Producer/Director

[TheEMotionPictures]

The good news is, all those ticky tacky barbie plastic strip malls have an economic viability of about 15 years. The big box interchange centers built around highway off ramps and on ramps are about the same. I see these as opportunities to turn acres of impermeable asphalt into vibrant mixed use town centers. I'm working on developing a 35 acre lot that was once a Walmart and other big box retail. The trick is to put the housing where the economic retail activity is.

[TheEMotionPictures]

One of the things I've pondered is the fact that the suburbs are here. We've built them out, and squandered not only our resources of fertile farmland and natural habitats, but also the materials it takes to build the infrastructure of this inefficient pattern of building cities.

[MrBeautifulba1]

There is no more "TEXAS" in Dallas. I moved here in 1977 and there was ALOT of open gorgeous country side. Now ?? It has ALL literally been destroyed. Miles and miles of barbie plastic stripmalls and corporate grade concrete cover what was once open wild and free. This is why I won't have children. If this is what humanity creates I say good riddance.

[SniperViper1000]

@acavideo 7 billion people can fit in the city of LA shoulder-to-Shoulder. Now imagine that in the way of high-rises and mid-rise communities. We can use GM-foods and farmscrapers to feed populations and public transit. Let the world population grow. It'll lead to the advancement of mankind.

[Stealthkeys77]

As a town planner for 10 years I learnt that urban sprawl was due to 2 specific factors. (1) Developers manipulate council's via donations and backroom deals. (2) Government due to cost cutting gladly accept donations and do favours for developers in return. When I dared to challenge my department by recognizing the community and the environment I was told to "tow the line" and put developers under first preference. I was taught that town planning was about balancing the environment & community?

[TheGoodChap]

I live in Lawrence Kansas, and while its a town known for its great downtown and ability to walk around it, there has been a lot of destructive development going on in our city in the last 10 years. Even with all this suburban growth, some of the developers are putting in "bicycle lanes" so that our town still registers as bike friendly town. The problem is that these bike lanes go from the suburb, to the nearest 4 lane stoplight and end. Like as if I really wanted to bike that stretch?

[pavilionking06]

My neighborhood in Portland, Oregon was shown (kids playing in the fountain) and the MAX train was shown. Glad to live in Portland where we have a plethora of mass transit options, not forgetting our extremely extensive bicycle lanes, smaller city blocks for easy walking, and urban growth boundary that keeps things close and convenient.

[TheEMotionPictures]

Portland is a great city that really understands living at a human scale. It was a joy to film in Portland and it gave a great backdrop to show how exciting it can be to live in a city that cares about the things you mentioned. Sprawling From Grace will be airing on CNBC on April 20th at 10:00 pm Eastern Time.

[dave19941000]

This is why I love Montreal (was awarded best PT system in North America). I live in the country 45 minutes (with no trafic) from the city core (downtown), and what do I do? I drive for 15 minutes, then take a train for the rest, and I'm either close enough to walk (in winter I used the underground city) or take a bus. And now, where rebuilding a major interchange, that will include a bus/taxi only lane and a tramway that will conect apartments built over what was a factory to downtown. progress

[andrewada]

Transport: Major advances in transport technology will destroy this concern - far, far better (and cheaper and more effective) to develop the transport system than reform the city.

[andrewada]

In New Zealand, my home country, we are mostly "sprawled" - and usually it's tastefully built. Hardly a nightmare. People generally have no trouble staying in god contact with friends and family too (how do you define "community"?).

You don't want to confuse design issues with sprawl issues.

I don't know of anyone who has a problem with sprawl as such, until they are told it is a problem.

[rktech68fl]

@andrewada I didn't have a problem with sprawl/suburbia either...until I moved to a urban environment, with connections to parks, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, restaurants and other people enjoying the outdoors. other than mowing the lawn, there's really no reason to come out of your house in suburbia. most american suburbs are not tastefully built, and don't even live up to their reputation for having more space.

[robopaladin]

U.S. energy independence, 2008:

"Drilll, baby, drill!"

U.S. energy independence, 2010:

"Walk, baby, walk!"

[MrEnergyCzar]

One way I prepared for peak oil was converting my home to a net-zero solar powered home that uses no oil or gas..I made a video about it called, "Preparing for Peak Oil"....

[philallsopp42]

Its right on target.

Ask any wildlife biologist what makes for a successful, thriving species and they will tell you all the time "Habitat". We have to think of Habitat for our species in much more encompassing terms than the trite platitudes so many developers, realtors and the TV do-it-yourselfers have been feeding to the general public for half a century or more.

[jeffvercillo]

"Where there is no vision, the people perish," indeed, "but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." - Proverbs 29:18!

[Wroots99]

To add insult to injury, suburban houses are crap. We build miles of roads, sewers, etc., to service temporary housing - temporary, because glue and woodchip construction coated with vinyl siding and roofed with asphalt (oil) has a very short shelf life. The building standard in Europe is 300 years; in North America, only 30. A suburban bunker built since 1970 is basically a heap of junk tarted up with cosmetics. Present urban planning is an aberration.

[synnfein]

stockmonger i think thats what we have now

[TheEMotionPictures]

As the producer/director of the film I rarely chime in, but this is such an unusal comment that I have to say, What?

[JohnLeeMD]

I enjoyed your movie very much. It's a shame though, that it's gotten so little response/viewing. I only found out about it by chance.

[TheEMotionPictures]

Thanks for your kind comment. Hopefully more will discover it as you have.

DME

[0ThouArtThat0]

"The human being has to be the essential planning component and the scale around which everything is measured." -- Perhaps the Earth is the essential planning component?

[BlazzingSun]

energy not counsiousness itself...

define earth and or humans...

[StockMonger]

NGO propaganda to pack you in a city, take away your rights, and rule you like a slave with RFID so the elite can profit of your sweat and blood. Wake up to reality, not the elite's absurd imagination.

[sonofdrella09]

How is the elete NOT profiting from suburbia? The only way ti get around is on a car(costs $), that gess what-eats gas(costs $0! And then there are all those fast food (no farmer's rights) restaurants that do not require you to get out of the car inorder to get your HFCS fix? And then you can go back to your subprime mortgage castle (forclosure).

Everything in suburbia is toataly plastic, artificial and commercial.

Suburbs= human pig stys.

[Jetfire7]

I vote for keeping ones life as centralized as possible(possibly not even leaving ones home , except 1-2 days per week to run arrands). At the same time, big capital investment in transportation infrastructure state-to-state (larger cities) connecting the urban residents to the local big city (reduce number of cars entering/exiting the city in any particular day). Thats the only solution to reduce pollution/ congestion within/around a larger city.

[riccuellar]

Canada = Crap Country

[sarkerm2]

better than USA, what does that make us?

[turbine111111]

I agree that the city has much to offer in terms of a more sustainable future, however, let's not paint too rosey a picture. There are problems that the central city has yet to overcome. Mainly, how will we deal with the urban poor? Sure, it's healthier to walk to work, but what if you don't have a job, or no prospect of one? Many of America's central cities are revitalizing today at the expense of poor people who are being pushed to the fringe to make way for downtown redevelopment.

[smit1807]

As a person that has lived in suburbia and the central city, I have to say that city life is MUCH more superior to living in the suburbs: MUCH more culture, diversity, tolerant and liberal (free) ideas, healthy lifestyles through encouraged walking, biking, and P.T. use (there are actually sidewalks and bus stops in the city, lol), competent road systems, true choice in food...The list goes on and ON...The city is Way more orderly. Suburbia is just organized chaos. It isn't sustainable.

[manco82]

@smit1807 Yeah cities are fantastic except for the dirty air, noise and crime.

[xxx2397]

@manco82 This is exactly why we need to FIX the cities instead of running away from the problem

[Scottit]

Choices are there now. Most prefer suburbia. You want to take away the suburban choice.

For people like you who don't like nature, personal mobility, privacy & independence, you can live in high density.

[xxx2397]

@Scottit Most DON'T prefer suburbia, unless you mean most baby boomers

[TheEMotionPictures]

I hear ya. However, we can't afford to ignore the investment that a large percentage of Ameicans have made. A home is typically the largest investment any average American makes in their lifetime. In America that has surpassed more than 50%. The question is how do we retrofit suburbia to include transportation choice, and provide zoning and building codes that attract developers to build exciting spaces that compliment their lifestyle with mixed use, so they don't have to drive everywhere.

[Scottit]

"retrofit suburbia"? & along with other comments showing lack of knowledge, you are pretty clueless.

I suggest you study: economics, geography & business. You should also familiarize yourself with real data & the principles of liberty.

Walk to mixed use? You need a density of over 40,000 per square mile, which puts about 10,000 people within a 1/4 mile of walking somewhere. How many businesses can survive with a customer base that low?

[TheEMotionPictures]

Tit,

Ive decided to discontinue any communication with you, beyond this. Good luck.

[realsamwise]

I refuse to GO anyplace where it gets over about 7,000 and won't LIVE anyplace where its over about 3,000

[realsamwise]

How many businesses can survive with a customer base that low?

Thats the rub isn't it? those of us in the suburbs just do not wish to live in a place where the population, the traffic foot car or otherwise is heavy enough to support a buisness. If its a nice place to live most buisness's will fail for lack of customers and if its a great place to do buisness no sane person wants to live there.

[realsamwise]

First if we in the suburbs wanted "exciting spaces" we would already have them. Face it, we don't care. Next, Most suburbs already have a bus system. lastly, if you try to change the zoning to add mixed use we in the burbs will drag your ass to court in five minutes. If we wanted a grocery store next door we would have moved there to start with.

[TheEMotionPictures]

Then my guess Sam is that the rule of perverse outcomes will apply for you and your wise minions.

As gas prices get higher and higher, "You might not get what you want, but you'll definately get what you deserve."

[realsamwise]

What I will get is as far away from the city as I can on my last tank of Gas. Baring that, at least I own enough land to grow some of my own food. Pity the fool who lives in downtown Chicago in an apartment building or the Bronx. Rats will only go so far and eventually even they will all be eaten. When the system all comes down every city in North America will make New Orleans look good. The paradox is that then it will be an advantage living as far away as possible. The further the better

[realsamwise]

If you REALLY want to help people find a way to bring the jobs to the small towns so people won't have to live near/in cities at all. If people are to deal with a post oil world they need to live in towns of 50k or less and spread out enough to have room to grow their own food and raise animals. If suburbs have an issue it's that they are TOO densely populated and not enough property is attached to the homes.

[realsamwise]

Having said all of this. There are in fact many "suburbs" that are WAY to far from anything. When they pack these homes in 10 feet apart and then also build them 75 miles from the nearist place you can buy a pair of pants.. These people will indeed be boned when the oil runs out.

[realsamwise]

Also, the word "suburb" is a bit nebulas. I consider myself to have a "suburban" lifestyle. I live a 10 minute drive from a city of 100k this in turn is 100 miles from a city of 2.5 million. I can walk to shop but it's far enough I am not likely to do so. Walking to work would not be possible. I am in range of the bus but it's very inefficient and would take 10 times as long to get to work then to drive my super-efficient little car. Much of what people call suburb I would call city and despise.

[Cyrus992]

@realsamwise Those "exciting spaces" are NOT in suburban areas because INSANE codes RESTRICT them and people are used to the unattractiveness and low quality life of suburbia and hardly aware of it..

[Cyrus992]

DONT LISTEN TO SCOTTIT!!!! (Messages Below)HE IS A MADMAN!!!!!

HIS POINTS MAKE LITTLE SENSE, HE PROVIDES LITTLE SOULTIONS TO GROWTH, AND IGNORES HOW BAD SUBURBAN SPRAWL IS!!!

Lets bring the death of that UGLY suburban sprawl and make NEW URBANISM DOMINANT!!!!!!!!

[TheEMotionPictures]

Our best hope is to inform our government how changing this will make us more energy sustainable.

That's what I'm trying to do with the film. It is playing three days in Denver during the DNC, and is screening at the Clinton Presidential Library in Aug. After that I hope to have it available to the public.

[Cyrus992]

Reply to TheEMotionPictures:

What if I am not at those meetings? Where else can I see it? PLEASE!! I am really crazy about this film!!!!

[Scottit]

Yes, you are crazy.

[TheEMotionPictures]

this energy crisis, and secure our hopes of a bright and sustainable future.

Best,

Dave Edwrads

[TheEMotionPictures]

OK, based on that comment, I understand. It's perhaps no coincidence that your screen name ends in tit. You're a boob. Good luck.

[Scottit]

"That comment"? I just repeated what Cyrus said.

[Scottit]

Many people choose to live in suburbia. If there are enough people who want to live in crowded conditions with limited mobility (dependent on public transit--no car), then they can live like that & developers will build to meet that demand.

It can be tough though to convince some city councils to allow the necessary zoning, since high density creates many problems, including more congestion.

[TheEMotionPictures]

By doing so we can reduce congestion, give affordable and reliable transportation to all Americans, and insure our way of life long into the future. My suggestion is you go to our website and sign up to be notified when a screening will come to your city. Then , after viewing the entire film, ask yourself how it applies to you. Leaders from both sides of the isle appear and make comment in this film. It is this kind of bi-partisan cooperation and agreement on this issue that will help solve.

[Scottit]

Reduce congestion by cramming more people in? Study math too, please.

BTW, based upon actual figures from the Census, VMT decreases at a lessor rate than density increasing. In other words, more driving per square mile with more people.

[realsamwise]

This idea is a very popular one with big city governments because it gets the most tax base for the least cost in roads and services. Big cities hate the fact that people with a few bucks get out as fast as they can and take their money with them

[walwaad]

This is great. Let's see more of this discussion.

[davidsghost]

My whole life in the USA I hear talk on TV, Radio, and public speaking about change, and finding solutions, about creating inovative ways to make life better, and YET nothing changes, things I've tried to do or get involved with people seem to deliberatly get in the way of real progress. Americans don't want to change but Americans want to look like they are by talking about "change change change, vision vision vision" when Americans have no intention of changing.

[jlp58mjp]

yeah they want change.... pocket change.

[Orion602]

I LOVE suburbs.. :o)) i love SUVs. i want one.

lol

[BubbFromGEI]

We need to MANAGE oil demand destruction.

Think CarFree. Invest CarFree. Get CarFree.

And New Urbanism provides a way of improving our living, while moving towards CarFree.

GreenEnergyInvestors dotcom is a place to build understanding, and explore the concepts

[matchbox555]

sorry liberal loons....... civilization is not coming to an end.. we shall soon have hydrogen/electric vehicles power by nuclear energy.

get over it.

[TimeCurator23]

"matchbox555",

Please tell me the connection between the political left and the Peak Oil phenomenon.

Also, all civilizations of the past came to an end, and ours is/will too, and the evidence can be found by applying basic mathematics and physics that a high school student with a GPA of 1.0 can understand.

Lastly, I'm afraid to say that the hydrogen economy is a myth, and anyone with basic research skills can confirm this for themselves.

Good luck to you and your family!

[matchbox555]

why dont you read my post retard ??

nuclear power = electricity = hydrogen

duhhhhh !!

[BrightHumanist]

Just check how much uranium we mine and how much we consume everyday. Then, tell me if it's likely that we can add 5000 nuclear power plants to replace oil.

[treepolitik]

First, I think we've been all tricked at some point into dividing into liberal, conservative, white, black, rural, etc. Second, civilization AS WE KNOW IT will come to an end. The politicians and big business planned for you to believe they'd give you hydrogen/electric vehicles, and planned for anyone who argued to look really dumb. Watch the movie Zeitgeist on google video if you haven't already, while it's still there.

[Scottit]

If soon is 50+ years.

Regardless, each individual can use energy as can afford & want--not by dictates of others.

[chadpratch]

OK I need to see this!!! My father is a home developer. We have been bumping heads with our city council, due to the fact that we want to subdivide lots with the city in order to higher density and NOT SPRAWL OUT. We have come to the realization that politics will win out on this issue so it is not up to the politicians to do something here, its up to the city planners. Our City planners need to kick some ass like you are with this film!! Great job!

Chad

Kelowna B.C

[dogterd]

I am enjoying the end of the automobile age as much as I can. I have deliberately shucked a management position to climb into a transport truck to drive around a sprawling city while I listen to public radio and the debate over global warming, etc... For vacations I pack up my guns, drive my 4x4 thousands of miles to shoot all manner of God's creatures.I'm a poster boy for global destruction, and I know it. To live at this time in history is something we should all be conscious of. It can't last

[treepolitik]

Interesting...it seems intended for a more scientific audience than Tom Hylton's "Save Our Land, Save Our Towns." It is less anecdotal, and less people will be able to relate. On the other hand, this film will probably reach people quicker, has a more national theme, and could be a possible "next step." Probably what shirkboulter means by substance is that this film may be a little too professional, looking like a biased news report. However, I only care that the message gets out.

[TheEMotionPictures]

Hi Treepolitk,

thanks for the input. I wish the trailer could tell you everything the film is about.

The film is 82 minutes and will be relaesing in theaters late summer/early fall. The film does have a bias but, it is ballanced with an opposing view as well. Ultimately it comes to combined conclusions. I've strived to make the solutions more the end result rather than an hour and a half of finger pointing.

Cheers,

DE

[skirkboulter]

A prediction. As a result of the next large west coast earthquake or the next terrorist event inner city life will be deemed too dangerous for children; as a result the suburbs will be the place of refuge as well as most of the inner west. A hugh population shift will occur within 120 day, doubling the populations of Denver, Salt Lake and the like.

[skirkboulter]

Basically a mindless video clip; a few urban shots to represent 'Ignoring Humanity'. Left wing, mundane complaint without substance.

[gonjamon99]

"Left wing..."?

To some it's about aesthetics, especially the architect who appeared in this clip. To me the suburban infrastructure is ugly. It's not necessarily politically motivated, although sometimes it is.

[TheEMotionPictures]

I was hoping for a more meaningful and intelligent response from the right. Perhaps that was hoping for too much.

See the entire movie thsi summer.

DE

[adderbrain5]

i am no liberal but i understand the great folly of the suburbs. It doesnt take a leftist to understand americas greatest problem it just takes a complete idiot not to. Some people simply know nothing else, but as for those that see no problem with suburbia after being exposed to these ideas...

[CoastersNSich]

Doesn't "conservative" mean to "conserve?" I've considered myself a bit right of center, but I find it funny that many who use that term want to "save the family" but also say "to hell with the city" or "smart growth is for wimps."

And as an architecture student, yes I think that there is a bit of a monopoly in suburban design, but that's another story...

[HollandParker]

THE PROBLEM is: Huge money has been wasted on mal-investments in the US suburbs, and the DEBT is still with Us. We need to restructure and write off. Google: "restructuring america's suburban dream"

[TheEMotionPictures]

Great article! Our movie delves into all these related issues and more. I will send the author a screener. Thanks for the touchstone.

Cheers,

Dave

[rktech68fl]

Rest assured, the higher gasoline prices that will shift the current paradigm are on the way.

[TheEMotionPictures]

Your not just whistling dixie. At a hundred dollars a barrel I predict prices will reach $5 a gallon this spring.

[steadydecline]

At $110/barrel we are starting to buckle.

[gregjalbert]

Automobile Slavery is my new rough cut video. How about some better urban design that doesn't require cars? The ideas are there.

[bemorphy]

I am 48 years of age. I saw when I was in my teens that this isn't working. From San Diego to LA to Denver to Miami, the cars, the roads, the mess. We now have means of a better way. But giant corporations are afraid of change, in that they may lose their mega profits from us.

[WroughtIronBed]

" I do not expect people to get out of their car because they think environmentally that's what they shold be doing. IT's got to work!" - (I thought this was very well stated. In other words, the community design plan has to exist to support the philosphy...or it does not work. "New Urbanism" and "The Slow Home" or two existing efforts)

[TheEMotionPictures]

This is not to say that that film did not do justice to the argument of Peak Oil.

I thought the director did a great job and has done much to raise the public awareness of this impending problem.

D.E.

[windyrhino]

Can't wait to see the film. This appears to expand on the themes of "End of Suburbia"??

[TheEMotionPictures]

Most certainly,

Unusally, I wasn't aware of that film until I was done with the production phase of this documentary, and did not get a chance to view it until about a month ago.

While I enjoyed End of Suburbia completely, I felt it fell into the argument of many of the Peak Oil films that are surfacing, and ignored the urban design and trasportation solutions that could help us mitigate this growing crisis.

DE

[mfasten]

I just got done watching "radiant city", and was fascinated by the embracing of disfunctionality in surburban planning. Looking forward to seeing this movie, and it's "american" view on sprawl. "Radiant City" was Calgary, Canada, I think.

[JimmyJazz332]

When will this film be released?

[TheEMotionPictures]

We are hoping for completion in mid to late Nov., and hope to be in theaters by spring. All things going as planned. I will put you on our mailing list to keep you updated. I truly appreciate your interest.

Best Regards,

DE

[alanhowitzer]

Anyway, I can't wait to see the film. Discussion and film on this subject is long, long overdue. Thanks in advance ThEMotionPictures.

[Depotmaster]

Thats a tragedy what happened to US city planning during the last 50 years. No wonder when Europeans think Yank have no culture.

[tommybass40]

Can't wait to see this documentary, although I live it every day. The US Government and it's planners have caused the ugly and inhumane conditions of sprawl and Americans' unmitigated dependence on the automobile, which subsequently profits the oil companies and the banks. They call it Capitalism, I call it Slavery.

I wish it could be different.

[alanhowitzer]

And we are the ones who accepted it as normal and didn't complain about our soulless, sprawling, incessant driving suburbs. We are as much to blame as the government. I can feel your pain though. I'm as pissed off as you are about the way we've destroyed our communities. It's nice to see someone with passion about this subject.

[reedtube]

As a planner, this is one of the things you have to fight all the time, especially with our current zoning that encourages sprawl in every way. Especially in the west, we have mirrored an isolated community, and you can see the ill effects of this.

I have found it is hard to exact change when that is all you know. I grew up in sprawl and thought it was the way to live. Boy, I was wrong.

[alanhowitzer]

I agree. Our design and planning community act like our codes were etched in stone. Except that they were likely churned out by some planning company in Rochester, NY. It drives me nuts. Much of the requirements are totally arbitrary.

A 100' setback for a storage facility?! Why not 50' or 1000' or 62.89'?! We've let our codes destroy our communitites.

[TheEMotionPictures]

It's great to see individuals of your background chiming into my offering. We are getting close to completion of the film. I think you'll like its outcome as we discuss how all actors can come together to create the best of possibilities through open dialogue. It is my opinion that this will become a requirement by communities, not just a choice. Choices are evaporating fast.

Best Regards

D.E.

[TheEMotionPictures]

I think our communities mirror back to us our daily existance. It's a chicken or the egg syndrom. Was it the individual that became isolated, or in reverse.

[TheEMotionPictures]

In either case the reflection is not a future I wish to embrace. As a boy who grew up in the burbs, my experience was one in which I was severed from community because community was not accessible. Good transit, and communities that inspire it, gives everyone the abilty and opportunity to participate. If I could give my children this gift I would die happy.

Best Regards,

D.E.

[reedtube]

Books provide great info on this subject, but this video can educate due to actual professionals in the video. Experts can speak, and visuals can effect change. It can inspire more research and education on the subject.

[calvinjones]

These videos are good but let them inspire you not educate. Go buy a couple of good books, learn the details...they are the best parts!

[mensmaximus]

Oh, I'm watching everything. World, I'm going to change your dumb ass.

[blondandfun]

Although developers are building more mixed-use developments, everywhere in America, from Seattle to Atlanta, is becoming an exact mirror image of corporate domination and sameness.  Pretty soon, the US will be one huge parking lot with only 10 different major conglomerate companies. When our society crashes, every major corporation will merge with other similar corporations and we will live in one big ugly homogeneous and culture-less society.

[blondandfun]

As a civil engineer with a liberal slant i've spent a lot of time trying to figure out not that the problem exists, but how to fix our way of life. These feelings are deep in me since I live in Atlanta, GA, and see and feel the impacts of a society where people here are misurable because of the social isolation and discomfort that the automobile creates.

[alanhowitzer]

I'm a civil/site engineer too. I have a PE and helped construct sprawl and I think I've had it and I'm done. They should change the title of my job to sprawl engineer.

[WroughtIronBed]

tough situation. What about taking your skills and linking up with a firm based on your intersts (such as DPZ, etc)...which specialize in sprawl alternatives? Ofcourse, such things are easier said than done...I realize.

[alanhowitzer]

Yeah, no kidding. Engineers don't respect architects or new urbanism. They don't see the need for expensive luxuries like sidewalks.

I plan on sending my resume to DPZ. You wouldn't happen to know anyone/work there would you?

[WroughtIronBed]

so relocating is an option? if it is not dpz...what about another firm that specializes in new urban town planning? I can put a word out in the nashville area.

[alanhowitzer]

Some of the younger engineers I've worked with understand this issue. Everyone else does not. When I try to change a design, something small like putting sidewalks on both sides of a road, they think I'm nuts, like I've lost my mind. Most engineers don't care about sprawl and designing for community. That's not our job and not what we've been trained to do.

[WroughtIronBed]

It is a problem that certanly should be addressed in the educational facilities. It would requires a change in mindset and pioneering efforts.

[alanhowitzer]

How come no one is watching this video? I think people in this US have no idea that this is an issue. They've grown up in sprawl, and that's the way they think towns should be constructed. Amazing, how nobody thinks about this. :(