RE: How to link carism and environmentalism
Steve Atlas <[email protected]> Sun, 21 Oct 2012 20:45:22 -0400
| Newsgroups | gmane.politics.activism.carfree-network |
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--_6994666d-a8cf-448f-baa0-c0bbc2d3fcd0_ Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi Kirstin and Franz, I loved both of your comments, as well as Kirstin's e= arlier ones. Maybe, we don't need to despair here in the U.S. either. Portl= and (Oregon) has a great bike-friendly area, plus a wonderful light rail sy= stem. Friday morning's USA Today's front page talked about how a growing nu= mber of small towns and suburbs are replacing their car-centered strip mall= s with pedestrian and transit friendly downtowns. For example, Carmel, Indi= ana (pronounced CAR mel) has enjoyed a revitalization since it refocused on= a walkable downtown. Even in traditional car-centered areas, such as grea= ter Los Angeles, you don't need a car to enjoy a visit here--or perhaps, ev= en living there. Perhaps, one thing we can do is focus on downtown and nei= ghborhoods where visiting and living can be fun and less stressful than the= hassles and expense of driving. In my hometown of Baltimore (MD), parking = downtown is so expensive that taking light rail, subway, or the free circul= ator buses is more satisfying, fun, and cost-effective. (E-mail Kirstin to = get the October issue of her great newsletter: Ecocities Emerging. That iss= ue, in addition to many great articles, has my Car Free Journey column abou= t visiting Baltimore without a car.) If any of you know of any communities = (except large cities) where visiting or living without a car is a real opti= on, please let me know. Steve Steve Atlas Writer and Composer (410) 663-0217. 24-hour message phone: (410) 637-5945 Subject: Re: [carfree_network] How to link carism and environmentalism From: [email protected] Date: Sun, 21 Oct 2012 09:17:20 -0700 CC: [email protected]; carfree_network-/[email protected] To: office-3s5y7F/[email protected] Dear Franz, nice to hear from you and thank you for the follow up emphasizi= ng how the numbers of decreased car use are linked to urban patterns of inc= reased accessibility by proximity (walkability) and transit options other t= han the car. In the USA, it's also further supported by expensive parking m= etering, high fines for illegal parking/zones and, importantly, a new kind = of lifestyle culture among the 'creative class' and young people that sees = the car as more of an unnecessary expense than an asset. The lesson we are = learning is that regular middle class people here won't go car free just be= cause they have been educated about the problems cars cause. There needs to= be a practical solution for their urban lifestyle needs and expectations a= nd cultural incentives that are more than just about being environmentally = correct.=20 In Europe some cities have had success in stopping sprawl, for example Frie= burg Germany -- but they have a very strict urban growth boundary and have = planned for strategic infill to help meet demand for growth within the city= limits with good transit.=20 We'd really welcome the opportunity to bring the two related ideas of Ecoci= ty and Carfree City closer together, at Ecocity 10 in Nantes and otherwise.= Here is the link to the Call for Content for the Nantes conference and I'd= be happy to further discuss strategy with you.http://www.ecocity-2013.com/= en/call-contributions Regards, KirstinEcocity Builders On Oct 20, 2012, at 11:41 AM, Franz Skala <office-3s5y7F/[email protected]> wrote: Dear Kirstin, the numbers in the article you quoted allow a little hope. I want to emphasise your statement on the appropriate urban patterns for carfree living. But also in Europe car-oriented sprawl is still produced. And I like your idea to include presentations from members of the Carfree Network into Ecocity Builders' next summit in Nantes. This would be a chance to bring the two related ideas of Ecocity and Carfree City closer together. The following info is for you, Robert: Do you know Todd Litman Victoria Transport Policy Institute ? (see attachment) Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org) [email protected] facebook.com/todd.litman Phone & Fax 250-360-1560 1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA=20 He may be an ally for you. Best regards Franz At 17.10.2012 16:55, Kirstin Miller wrote: Dear friends at carfree network --=20 It's been a long time since I weighed in! but we're still be working 24/7 for cities for people and nature, not cars : )=20 I went back and found a report back I wrote for an online journal in 2003 about the CarFree Cities Conference I attended in Prague with my mom -- http://www.ecotecture.com/library_eco/ecocity/miller_pragueGnosis.html - in case anyone is interested, for old times sake. Also, Ecocity Builders' next summit will be in Nantes, France next September and it would be terrific if the Carfree Network could come and participate and propose some learning exchanges on this topic. http://www.ecocity-2013.com But mainly I'd like to comment on Bob's question. Here in the US, young people (up to 34years old) are driving less.=20 "A major new report from Benjamin Davis and Tony Dutzik at the Frontier Group and Phineas Baxandall, at the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, documents this unprecedented trend across a wide variety of indicators. Their two big findings about young people and driving:=20 The average annual number of vehicle miles traveled by young people (16 to 34-year-olds) in the U.S. decreased by 23 percent between 2001 and 2009, falling from 10,300 miles per capita to just 7,900 miles per capita in 2009.=20 The share of 14 to 34-year-olds without a driver=92s license increased by 5 percentage points, rising from 21 percent in 2000 to 26 percent in 2010, according to the Federal Highway Administration.=20 Young people are also making more use of transit, bikes, and foot power to get around. In 2009, 16 to 34-year-olds took 24 percent more bike trips than they took in 2001. They walked to their destinations 16 percent more often, while their passenger miles on transit jumped by 40 percent." Here is a full article in The Atlantic about the trend:=20 http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2012/04/why-young-americans-are-dr= iving-so-much-less-their-parents/1712/ I live in one of America's "hippest hipster" neighborhoods (Uptown in Oakland, California), and the trend is this: young people want to live in creative, walkable neighborhoods connected by transit and they don't really want a car anymore -- too expensive and a big pain to deal with. If they need a car they will join a car club like Zipcar and only use one when needed. Otherwise they bike or take transit everyone. They don't want to be bothered by the responsibility and expense of a car, of babysitting the car all over town, paying fines, parking fees, gas prices, and knowing that they are polluting the environment. It's not a status symbol like it used to be.=20 I think this trend can be repeated in Canada's cities, even in cold climates, that have enough density to support good transit and very accessible/walkable neighborhoods. But without the right kind of city that makes car free living convenient and practical (in cold climates, covered walkways, bridges between buildings, transit options for cold weather, and enough affordable housing in city centers for people to live car free), people will still have to rely on the car. Those are my thoughts about it and great question. Kirstin Miller Ecocity Builders www.ecocitybuilders.org On Oct 12, 2012, at 12:41 PM, Robert Dierker <[email protected]> wrote: Hello. I volunteer for several environmental groups in Vancouver Canada. One thing they seem to have in common is a belief that the use of cars is a necessary evil within their organizations. I can send many examples, if requested, but I'm sure you've all seen it.=20 Canada and the US are stuck in a well orchestrated car culture - no doubt about it - and the natural resources of Canada are now hijacked by foreign corporate giants. Their government lobby efforts and PR machines are in full force here. My great concern, now, is that our new batch of young environmentalists can't leave their cars behind. This is not particularly new, but seems to be more pronounced than it used to be. Our environmental movements can't move forward with this kind of base line. I have no particular influence within Vancouver's environmental movement, however I want to affect this one component of change: I want these groups to weigh the value of each member's opinion and motivation with respect to their personal activities with cars. Before I go I would like to remind any reader that Canada gets REALLY cold. These groups have to define models that will work in an individualistic, affluent society at -25c. How do I do this? Please help. Robert. 604-440-0860 --=20 You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "World Carfree Network" group. To post to this group, send email to carfree_network-/[email protected] Replies are sent to the author of the message. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to carfree_network-unsubscribe-/[email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den --=20 You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "World Carfree Network" group. To post to this group, send email to carfree_network-/[email protected] Replies are sent to the author of the message. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to carfree_network-unsubscribe-/[email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den Franz Skala Institut f=FCr =F6kologische Stadtentwicklung Gerhardusgasse 26 A-1200 Wien Telefon:=20 0043-1/876 95 26 (vormittag) 0043-1/374 97 97 (nachmittag) Website: http://www.oekostadt.at/ --=20 You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "World Carfree Network" group. To post to this group, send email to carfree_network-/[email protected] Replies are sent to the author of the message. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to carfree_network-unsubscribe-/[email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den<Litman Victo= riaTransportInstitute Texte.doc> --=20 You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "World Carfree Network" group. To post to this group, send email to carfree_network-/[email protected] Replies are sent to the author of the message. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to carfree_network-unsubscribe-/[email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den = =20 --=20 You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "World Carfree Network" group. To post to this group, send email to carfree_network-/[email protected] Replies are sent to the author of the message. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to carfree_network-unsubscribe-/[email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den --_6994666d-a8cf-448f-baa0-c0bbc2d3fcd0_ Content-Type: text/html; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <html> <head> <style><!-- .hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family:Tahoma } --></style></head> <body class=3D'hmmessage'><div dir=3D'ltr'> Hi Kirstin and Franz,<BR> <BR>I loved both of your comments, as well a= s Kirstin's earlier ones. Maybe, we don't need to despair here in the U.S. = either. Portland (Oregon) has a great bike-friendly area, plus a wonderful = light rail system. Friday morning's USA Today's front page talked about how= a growing number of small towns and suburbs are replacing their car-center= ed strip malls with pedestrian and transit friendly downtowns. For example,= Carmel, Indiana (pronounced CAR mel) has enjoyed a revitalization since it= refocused on a walkable downtown. <BR> <BR>Even in traditio= nal car-centered areas, such as greater Los Angeles, you don't need a car t= o enjoy a visit here--or perhaps, even living there. <BR> <BR>Perhaps,= one thing we can do is focus on downtown and neighborhoods where visiting = and living can be fun and less stressful than the hassles and expense of dr= iving.<BR> <BR>In my hometown of Baltimore (MD), parking downtown is s= o expensive that taking light rail, subway, or the free circulator buses is= more satisfying, fun, and cost-effective. (E-mail Kirstin to get the Octob= er issue of her great newsletter: Ecocities Emerging. That issue, in additi= on to many great articles, has my Car Free Journey column about visiting Ba= ltimore without a car.)<BR> <BR>If any of you know of any communities = (except large cities) where visiting or living without a car is a real opti= on, please let me know.<BR> <BR>Steve<br><br> Steve Atlas<br>Writer and Composer<br>(410) 663-0217. 24-hour message phon= e: (410) 637-5945<br><br> <BR><div><div id=3D"SkyDrivePlaceholder"></d= iv><hr id=3D"stopSpelling">Subject: Re: [carfree_network] How to link caris= m and environmentalism<br>From: [email protected]<br>Date: Sun, 21 Oct 201= 2 09:17:20 -0700<br>CC: [email protected]; carfree_network@googlegroups.= com<br>To: office-3s5y7F/[email protected]<br><br>Dear Franz, nice to hear from you and= thank you for the follow up emphasizing how the numbers of decreased car u= se are linked to urban patterns of increased accessibility by proximity (wa= lkability) and transit options other than the car. In the USA, it's also fu= rther supported by expensive parking metering, high fines for illegal parki= ng/zones and, importantly, a new kind of lifestyle culture among the 'creat= ive class' and young people that sees the car as more of an unnecessary exp= ense than an asset. The lesson we are learning is that regular middle class= people here won't go car free just because they have been educated about t= he problems cars cause. There needs to be a practical solution for their ur= ban lifestyle needs and expectations and cultural incentives that are more = than just about being environmentally correct. <div><br></div><div>In = Europe some cities have had success in stopping sprawl, for example Friebur= g Germany -- but they have a very strict urban growth boundary and have pla= nned for strategic infill to help meet demand for growth within the city li= mits with good transit. </div><div><br></div><div>We'd really welcome = the opportunity to bring the two related ideas of Ecocity and Carfree City = closer together, at Ecocity 10 in Nantes and otherwise. Here is the link to= the Call for Content for the Nantes conference and I'd be happy to further= discuss strategy with you.</div><div><a href=3D"http://www.ecocity-2013.co= m/en/call-contributions" target=3D"_blank">http://www.ecocity-2013.com/en/c= all-contributions</a></div><div><br></div><div>Regards, Kirstin</div><div>E= cocity Builders<br><div><br></div><div><br><div><div>On Oct 20, 2012, at 11= :41 AM, Franz Skala <<a href=3D"mailto:office-3s5y7F/[email protected]">office@oekos= tadt.at</a>> wrote:</div><br class=3D"ecxApple-interchange-newline"><blo= ckquote> <div> <font size=3D"3">Dear Kirstin,<br><br> the numbers in the article you quoted allow a little hope.<br><br> I want to emphasise your statement on the appropriate urban patterns for carfree living. But also in Europe car-oriented sprawl is still produced.<br><br> And I like your idea to include presentations from members of the Carfree Network into Ecocity Builders' next summit in Nantes. This would be a chance to bring the two related ideas of Ecocity and Carfree City closer together.<br><br> <b>The following info is for you, Robert:<br><br> </b>Do you know Todd Litman <b>Victoria Transport Policy Institute</b> ? (see attachment)<br> Victoria Transport Policy Institute (<a href=3D"http://www.vtpi.org/" target=3D"_blank">www.vtpi.org</a>)<br> <a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a><br> <a href=3D"http://facebook.com/todd.litman" target=3D"_blank">facebook.com/= todd.litman</a><br> Phone & Fax <a target=3D"_blank">250-360-1560</a><br> 1250 Rudlin Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 3R7, CANADA <br><br> He may be an ally for you.<br><br> Best regards<br><br> Franz<br><br> At 17.10.2012 16:55, Kirstin Miller wrote:<br> </font><blockquote class=3D"cite" cite=3D"x-msg://237/"><font size=3D"3">De= ar friends at carfree network -- <br><br> It's been a long time since I weighed in! but we're still be working 24/7 for cities for people and nature, not cars : ) <br> I went back and found a report back I wrote for an online journal in 2003 about the CarFree Cities Conference I attended in Prague with my mom --<br> <a href=3D"http://www.ecotecture.com/library_eco/ecocity/miller_pragueGnosi= s.html" target=3D"_blank"> http://www.ecotecture.com/library_eco/ecocity/miller_pragueGnosis.html</a> - in case anyone is interested, for old times sake. Also, Ecocity Builders' next summit will be in Nantes, France next September and it would be terrific if the Carfree Network could come and participate and propose some learning exchanges on this topic. <a href=3D"http://www.ecocity-2013.com/" target=3D"_blank">http://www.ecoci= ty-2013.com</a><br> <br> But mainly I'd like to comment on Bob's question. Here<b> in the US, young people (up to 34years old) are <u>driving less.</u> <br> </b><br> </font><font color=3D"#3a88fe" size=3D"3">"A major <a href=3D"http://www.uspirg.org/sites/pirg/files/reports/Transportation%20= %26%20the%20New%20Generation%20vUS_0.pdf" target=3D"_blank"> new report</a> from Benjamin Davis and Tony Dutzik at the Frontier Group and Phineas Baxandall, at the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, documents this unprecedented trend across a wide variety of indicators.<br> </font><font size=3D"3"><br> </font><font color=3D"#3a88fe" size=3D"3">Their two big findings about youn= g people and driving:=20 </font><ul><font color=3D"#3a88fe" size=3D"3"> </font><li><font color=3D"#3a88fe" size=3D"3">The average annual number of = vehicle miles traveled by young people (16 to 34-year-olds) in the U.S. decreased by 23 percent between 2001 and 2009, falling from 10,300 miles per capita to just 7,900 miles per capita in 2009.</font><font size=3D"3"> </font> </li><li><font color=3D"#3a88fe" size=3D"3">The share of 14 to 34-year-olds= without a driver=92s license increased by 5 percentage points, rising from 21 percent in 2000 to 26 percent in 2010, according to the Federal Highway Administration.</font><font size=3D"3">=20 </font></li></ul><font size=3D"3"><br> </font><font color=3D"#3a88fe" size=3D"3">Young people are also making more= use of transit, bikes, and foot power to get around. In 2009, 16 to 34-year-olds took 24 percent more bike trips than they took in 2001. They walked to their destinations 16 percent more often, while their passenger miles on transit jumped by 40 percent."<br> </font><font size=3D"3">Here is a full article in The Atlantic about the trend: <br> <a href=3D"http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2012/04/why-young-ameri= cans-are-driving-so-much-less-their-parents/1712/" target=3D"_blank"> http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2012/04/why-young-americans-are-dr= iving-so-much-less-their-parents/1712/</a> <br><br> I live in one of America's "hippest hipster" neighborhoods (Uptown in Oakland, California), and the trend is this: young people want to live in creative, walkable neighborhoods connected by transit and they don't really want a car anymore -- too expensive and a big pain to deal with. If they need a car they will join a car club like Zipcar and only use one when needed. Otherwise they bike or take transit everyone. They don't want to be bothered by the responsibility and expense of a car, of babysitting the car all over town, paying fines, parking fees, gas prices, and knowing that they are polluting the environment. It's not a status symbol like it used to be. <br><br> I think this trend can be repeated in Canada's cities, even in cold climates, that have enough density to support good transit and very accessible/walkable neighborhoods. But without the right kind of city that makes car free living convenient and practical (in cold climates, covered walkways, bridges between buildings, transit options for cold weather, and enough affordable housing in city centers for people to live car free), people will still have to rely on the car.<br><br> Those are my thoughts about it and great question.<br><br> Kirstin Miller<br> Ecocity Builders<br> <a href=3D"http://www.ecocitybuilders.org/" target=3D"_blank">www.ecocitybu= ilders.org</a> <br><br> <br> On Oct 12, 2012, at 12:41 PM, Robert Dierker <<a href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>> wrote:<br><br> </font><blockquote class=3D"cite" cite=3D"x-msg://237/"><font size=3D"4">He= llo.<br> <br> I volunteer for several environmental groups in Vancouver Canada. One thing they seem to have in common is a belief that the use of cars is a necessary evil within their organizations. I can send many examples, if requested, but I'm sure you've all seen it. <br><br> Canada and the US are stuck in a well orchestrated car culture - no doubt about it - and the natural resources of Canada are now hijacked by foreign corporate giants. Their government lobby efforts and PR machines are in full force here.<br><br> My great concern, now, is that our new batch of young environmentalists can't leave their cars behind. This is not particularly new, but seems to be more pronounced than it used to be. Our environmental movements can't move forward with this kind of base line.<br><br> I have no particular influence within Vancouver's environmental movement, however I want to affect this one component of change: I want these groups to weigh the value of each member's opinion and motivation with respect to their personal activities with cars.<br><br> Before I go I would like to remind any reader that Canada gets REALLY cold. These groups have to define models that will work in an individualistic, affluent society at -25c.<br><br> How do I do this? Please help.<br><br> Robert.<br> 604-440-0860<br><br> -- <br> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google<br> Groups "World Carfree Network" group.<br> To post to this group, send email to <a href=3D"mailto:carfree_network-/[email protected]"> carfree_network-/[email protected]</a><br> Replies are sent to the author of the message.<br> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to<br> <a href=3D"mailto:carfree_network-unsubscribe-/[email protected]"> carfree_network-unsubscribe-/[email protected]</a><br> For more options, visit this group at<br> <a href=3D"http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den" = target=3D"_blank"> http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den</a></font> </blockquote><font size=3D"3"><br> -- <br> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google<br> Groups "World Carfree Network" group.<br> To post to this group, send email to <a href=3D"mailto:carfree_network-/[email protected]">carfree_network@googleg= roups.com</a><br> Replies are sent to the author of the message.<br> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to<br> <a href=3D"mailto:carfree_network-unsubscribe-/[email protected]">carfree_net= work-unsubscribe-/[email protected]</a><br> For more options, visit this group at<br> <a href=3D"http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den" = target=3D"_blank"> http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den</a> </font></blockquote><font size=3D"3"> </font><font size=3D"3"> Franz Skala<br> Institut f=FCr =F6kologische Stadtentwicklung<br> Gerhardusgasse 26<br> A-1200 Wien<br> Telefon: <br> 0043-1/876 95 26 (vormittag)<br> 0043-1/374 97 97 (nachmittag)<br> Website: <a href=3D"http://www.oekostadt.at/" target=3D"_blank"> http://www.oekostadt.at/<br> </a></font><BR></div><div><br class=3D"ecxwebkit-block-placeholder"></div> -- <br> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google<br> Groups "World Carfree Network" group.<br> To post to this group, send email to <a href=3D"mailto:carfree_network@goog= legroups.com">carfree_network-/[email protected]</a><br> Replies are sent to the author of the message.<br> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to<br> <a href=3D"mailto:carfree_network-unsubscribe-/[email protected]">carfree_net= work-unsubscribe-/[email protected]</a><br> For more options, visit this group at<br> <a href=3D"http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den" = target=3D"_blank">http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl= =3Den</a><span><Litman VictoriaTransportInstitute Texte.doc></span></= blockquote></div><br></div></div> <BR> -- <br> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google<br> Groups "World Carfree Network" group.<br> To post to this group, send email to carfree_network-/[email protected]<br> Replies are sent to the author of the message.<br> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to<br> carfree_network-unsubscribe-/[email protected]<br> For more options, visit this group at<br> <a href=3D"http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den" = target=3D"_blank">http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl= =3Den</a></div> </div></body> </html> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google<br /> Groups "World Carfree Network" group.<br /> To post to this group, send email to carfree_network-/[email protected]<br /> Replies are sent to the author of the message.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to<br /> carfree_network-unsubscribe-/[email protected]<br /> For more options, visit this group at<br /> <a href=3D"http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den">= http://groups.google.com/group/carfree_network?hl=3Den?hl=3Den</a> --_6994666d-a8cf-448f-baa0-c0bbc2d3fcd0_--