When will most big cities have mass transit and a good urban core? (credit, how much)

[vivo]

good urban core = populated day and night, walkable etc
the big sunbelt cities have the economic growht and jobs but not a decent urban core

most major american cities dont have good mass transit

i mean it seems based on the criteria one should only choose dc, nyc, chi, boston (perhaps philly and sf?)

I mean it's pretty dissapointing how behind Europe we are. I'm in my late 20''s right now. hopefuly when I retire I'll have a slew of cities to choose from.

[Hoarfrost]

American cities have such poor mass transit because the government has oversubsidized roads and vehicles. Luckily we now have a government that is looking to equalize this situation and provide more transit options, not fewer.

Americans complain about how bad transit is in America and point to that as a reason why it shouldn't receive funding, without realizing that the lack of funding compared to roads is the reason transit in America is so decrepit.

[projectmaximus]

Originally Posted by vivo

I mean it's pretty dissapointing how behind Europe we are.

LOL. well, most european cities did get several hundred years of a head start verses most American cities. But the main issue is just how much more available land there compared to Europe. Anyway, at least you can find some comfort in knowing that many cities in the US (even in the south) are heading in the right direction.

Originally Posted by Hoarfrost

American cities have such poor mass transit because the government has oversubsidized roads and vehicles. Luckily we now have a government that is looking to equalize this situation and provide more transit options, not fewer.

Americans complain about how bad transit is in America and point to that as a reason why it shouldn't receive funding, without realizing that the lack of funding compared to roads is the reason transit in America is so decrepit.

Good point!

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by projectmaximus

LOL. well, most european cities did get several hundred years of a head start verses most American cities. But the main issue is just how much more available land there compared to Europe. Anyway, at least you can find some comfort in knowing that many cities in the US (even in the south) are heading in the right direction.



Good point!

Actually, we HAD decent mass transit and dense, lively cores in American cities and towns both large and small, through the first half of the 20th century. It's not because Europe got a "head start" on us. It's because our federal state and local policies favored the abandonment, destruction, and "un-development" of the exiting cities and towns as they favored pro-automobile development in botht eh burbs and the cities. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got til it's gone?

[thedudewiththeplan]

A lot of the sunbelt cities have much lower density overall than the cities you mentioned, so mass transit does not really work well in their current form. Hopefully, they will start to get denser though and this will help make public transit more viable and better urban cores.

[thatguy1]

Originally Posted by Ben Around

Actually, we HAD decent mass transit and dense, lively cores in American cities and towns both large and small, through the first half of the 20th century. It's not because Europe got a "head start" on us. It's because our federal state and local policies favored the abandonment, destruction, and "un-development" of the exiting cities and towns as they favored pro-automobile development in botht eh burbs and the cities. Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got til it's gone?

Exactly. Heck, even Omaha used to have one of the largest streetcar systems in the country. Now, nothing to speak of. Although, there are plans in the works.

[Go Ne]

Didn't the Car companies lobby in Washington to take out mass transit or something like that?

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by Go Ne

Didn't the Car companies lobby in Washington to take out mass transit or something like that?

The Great American Streetcar Scandal.

Great American streetcar scandal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Huckleberry3911948]

when the streets are no longer mean, when women and kids can ride the subway without being raped or stabbed.

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by vivo

good urban core = populated day and night, walkable etc
the big sunbelt cities have the economic growht and jobs but not a decent urban core

most major american cities dont have good mass transit

i mean it seems based on the criteria one should only choose dc, nyc, chi, boston (perhaps philly and sf?)

I mean it's pretty dissapointing how behind Europe we are. I'm in my late 20''s right now. hopefuly when I retire I'll have a slew of cities to choose from.

I agree that's there is much work to be done, but there are more cities that deserve spots on that list then the ones you have listed. (and as far as Philly and SF, both definitely should be included.) Even Los Angeles, often bashed for it's car culture, has far better mass transit - and livable, walkable core areas - than many people give it credit for.