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Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
10,138 posts, read 15,935,989 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imperialmog
Depends on what the water source is? If its deep aquifers then there will be trouble. The situation in Missouri is that half the state is a large rechargable aquifer. (which just gushes springs all over the place meaning more water could be tapped if needed) That and considering water on the surface with large rivers makes water shortages near impossible with the problem tending to be too much water.
The idea of water running out tends to forget technology that could be a game changer to make it moot. For one cheap desalinization would change things up. (especially coupled with clean and cheap energy sources for production and transport) Another is better treatment technology would make water cleaner and use more recyclecd wastewater improving efficency. A difficulty would be cities that don't have much water sources upstream and is a bit above in elevation. Because pumping water from lower places would be very energy intensive.
I follow what you're saying but think about it this way, the technology to purify water needs a lot of enhancement before it can help China's situation, and it's very expensive currently. If it could purify the water, China wouldn't have the problem they do right now, another thing to add on to that is their water depletion rate is beyond normal, I guess with a country of 1.3 billion and growing it's expected. If their water reaches near depletion in 30 years before they can even think about purifying it, it'll set them back again on dependency for water from across the world.
I think it has a lot to do with mentality, I have not seen China or India take steps to purify their water right now, and if they don't, it will be far too late for them when they do realize it.
I think the Midwestern region as whole will be the best off as far as water goes. And as for the other points, I agree with your post.
But think about this, demand for water = escalation of water prices, that's really a major threat in the future.
I follow what you're saying but think about it this way, the technology to purify water needs a lot of enhancement before it can help China's situation, and it's very expensive currently. If it could purify the water, China wouldn't have the problem they do right now, another thing to add on to that is their water depletion rate is beyond normal, I guess with a country of 1.3 billion and growing it's expected. If their water reaches near depletion in 30 years before they can even think about purifying it, it'll set them back again on dependency for water from across the world.
I think it has a lot to do with mentality, I have not seen China or India take steps to purify their water right now, and if they don't, it will be far too late for them when they do realize it.
I think the Midwestern region as whole will be the best off as far as water goes. And as for the other points, I agree with your post.
But think about this, demand for water = escalation of water prices, that's really a major threat in the future.
In the case of China yes it is that way. It depends on weather they can or will do it fast enough or have to deal with the consequences. Which also is a reason I can see China having real troubles in about 10 years since its a lot more shaky than most people think.
I don't think the US will have much trouble except in certain areas.
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
10,138 posts, read 15,935,989 times
Reputation: 4047
Quote:
Originally Posted by imperialmog
In the case of China yes it is that way. It depends on weather they can or will do it fast enough or have to deal with the consequences. Which also is a reason I can see China having real troubles in about 10 years since its a lot more shaky than most people think.
I don't think the US will have much trouble except in certain areas.
Normally that's how I always visioned it, behind all the "prosperous economic growth" and the manhattanization of their main cities, I see the problems China will have.
And those problems aren't pretty.
As a country, the US will do a better job adapting to water usage. I think we can do it, and I know we have the technology to make it happen, I have seen a lot of significant interest in water purification plans across the country. The Chicago River, the Buffalo Bayou, Trinity River Project, and these are just amongst the cities in my state (states- Texas and Illinois). The former is just water purification while the other two is that plus recreational activities of more "River Walk" type setting.
Cost is a big setback, but the cost to decontaminate our water = best possible investment at this time for water.
is access to water really relevant to whether the northeastern cities will thrive and the southern/western cities wont? I think very few of the prominent cities in question are far from a water source. Phoenix, Denver, Vegas, yes.....but for coastal cities like the ones in california & texas, i dont think a lack of water is an issue for them. That being said, i still think the northeastern cities have much more going for them in terms of sustainability.
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
10,138 posts, read 15,935,989 times
Reputation: 4047
Quote:
Originally Posted by toredyvik
[b]is access to water really [/B]relevant to whether the northeastern cities will thrive and the southern/western cities wont? I think very few of the prominent cities in question are far from a water source. Phoenix, Denver, Vegas, yes.....but for coastal cities like the ones in california & texas, i dont think a lack of water is an issue for them. That being said, i still think the northeastern cities have much more going for them in terms of sustainability.
It's not entirely relevant, but it will help. Especially when it comes to relocation and comfort. The Midwestern cities like Detroit, Cleveland, Saint Louis, Cincinnati, etc were built to sustain a larger portion of the city's population than they currently do. That's a plus in the infrastructure, and I know the same for Buffalo, Rochester, Pittsburgh, etc..
They'll be seeing a growth, just not sure when exactly.
It's not entirely relevant, but it will help. Especially when it comes to relocation and comfort. The Midwestern cities like Detroit, Cleveland, Saint Louis, Cincinnati, etc were built to sustain a larger portion of the city's population than they currently do. That's a plus in the infrastructure, and I know the same for Buffalo, Rochester, Pittsburgh, etc..
They'll be seeing a growth, just not sure when exactly.
The growth will liekly start first the farther South and West they are partilly due to bleedover. You are right in terms of having infrastructure capibilities that can support more people than present in those cities and to an extent the metros as a whole. Also the same cities have easily buildable land and water resources that can support much greater numbers into the millions more each. Though in terms of population support the issue of household size pops up again. Mainly it is mentioned often the population difference from their peak, but in many ways the real number number of housholds from their peak.
The massive growth that is happening in Atlanta,Texas Nev Ariz is unsustainable even in the best of times. As time passes cities/neighborhoods grow old. As infrastructure deteriorates poor people replace the middle/upper middle class who head for greener pastures and a new day.
The Texas cities/ Hotlanta will eventually pass the same tipping point that ruined the Rust Belt cities. The middle and upper classes are mobile and in constant motion, trendsetters.
History shows us 2 things.
1. Middle, Upper Middle and Wealthy Classes like to keep themselves at arms length from the poor.
2. Middle,Upper Middle and Wealthy Classes dont rebuild cities they move on and the infrastructure of the cities is handed down to a lesser class except for a few isolated exceptions e.g. Manhattan,SF,Loop,Capitol District,Miami Beach,Center City Philly,Back Bay Boston.
A few isolated exceptions, I don't thing so. There are plenty of inner city neighborhoods across the nation that are being revitalized. I certainly see it in the city I reside in, these areas/neighborhoods may not be as famous as the ones you listed but that doesn't make it any less true.
The massive growth that is happening in Atlanta,Texas Nev Ariz is unsustainable even in the best of times. As time passes cities/neighborhoods grow old. As infrastructure deteriorates poor people replace the middle/upper middle class who head for greener pastures and a new day.
The Texas cities/ Hotlanta will eventually pass the same tipping point that ruined the Rust Belt cities. The middle and upper classes are mobile and in constant motion, trendsetters.
History shows us 2 things.
1. Middle, Upper Middle and Wealthy Classes like to keep themselves at arms length from the poor.
2. Middle,Upper Middle and Wealthy Classes dont rebuild cities they move on and the infrastructure of the cities is handed down to a lesser class except for a few isolated exceptions e.g. Manhattan,SF,Loop,Capitol District,Miami Beach,Center City Philly,Back Bay Boston.
Most of the moving out of cities had as much to do in the past with racial issues and the events of the time, so expecting the same result with the other parameters being different is not too likely. Also on the second part the reverse is becoming more true with higher classes rebuilding in almost every city with places that aren't among the exceptions.
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