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Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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In terms of modern urban planning (by American standards) in the 21st century which of these metro areas would you say has the best plan to accommodate urban growth and infrastructure in the decades ahead? I use these cities as examples of medium sized metros poised for exponential urban growth that currently have rapidly growing urban cores. Some things to consider....
Best inner city transit
Best suburban commuter transit lines
Best freeway upkeep
Zoning for density and infill
Room for small businesses
Large businesses/office space
Hotel and convention market
Affordability
Walkability
Bicycles lanes/trails
Parks
Public art
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 10-31-2014 at 09:25 PM..
It's hard to not be impressed with how aggressive Denver has been in expanding it's mass transit options. It's much needed though, it's growth rivals that of Washington DC and Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth, which is a staggering amount of stress on the infrastructure.
My vote is for Denver. I've also heard of the city's more aggressive pursuits to make the area more bikeable and walkable but then again, I think every city is doing this to a bigger extent now compared to the past.
The Intermountain West in general is developing two big cities that are planning accordingly to population growth and infrastructural needs. Amazing, honestly.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
10,745 posts, read 23,804,636 times
Reputation: 14660
Quote:
Originally Posted by EricNorthman
ParkScore lists their ranking order as Minneapolis, Denver, Seattle. What advantages do you feel Seattle has over Denver?
Seattle has some beautiful parks on the water, but it's missing a large park near the urban core. Denver's Commons/Confluence parks are very attractive and right next to downtown.
Seattle has some beautiful parks on the water, but it's missing a large park near the urban core. Denver's Commons/Confluence parks are very attractive and right next to downtown.
You can even go kayaking downtown! That's pretty awesome.
ParkScore lists their ranking order as Minneapolis, Denver, Seattle. What advantages do you feel Seattle has over Denver?
Well, regarding Seattle I had just been thinking of the area surrounding Lake Union specifically, but looking further into it, it seems that Denver does actually have a more extensive park system that is more accessible, especially from the core of the city (which Seattle does not). I think Seattle is fairly close behind Denver, but I suppose I would change my ranking to agree with ParkScore (Minneapolis, Denver, Seattle).
The Intermountain West in general is developing two big cities that are planning accordingly to population growth and infrastructural needs. Amazing, honestly.
Just curious, Denver and what is the other big city?
Just curious, Denver and what is the other big city?
Salt Lake City. At this point Salt Lake City is the center of a 2.3 million persons metropolitan area and now sustains a growth rate among ALL major Western cities that ranks behind only Denver. It's growth rate is also comparable to that of Washington DC and a nudge behind the likes of Houston, Denver, and Dallas/Fort Worth. That makes it one of the fastest growing places in the entire country or even North America as a whole.
It's been rapidly infilling downtown, very dense development. Expanding it's transit options. Upgrading sidewalks and roads. Creating new ones. Making the city more bikeable and walkable.
You name it, they've been doing it, and the crazy thing is that those accolades haven't even registered to anyone outside of Utah yet or the Intermountain West in general.
If you looked at the Western United States (when excluding California, Hawaii, Alaska, and Montana) as three parts; Desert Southwest United States (AZ, NM, NV), Intermountain West United States (CO, WY, UT), and the Pacific Northwest United States (WA, ID, OR) ; I think the Intermountain West has prepared for population growth the best in terms of infrastructure.
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