Anyone here ever lived in Atlanta and Chicago?

[Redlionjr]

Originally Posted by grin123

^West Midtown definetly gives me a West Loop/Fulton Market feel but again, wayy to many parking lots and howell mill is a disaster. The West Loop has a concentrated plan and there accomplishing that. Fulton Market is probably the best restaurant neighborhood in the country. What's the plan for West Midtown? They're kind of just building developments there with no actual goal.

I don't know West Midtown's plans but if you're comparing it to Chicago or if Chicago's the standard than it'll never impress you.

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by grin123

^West Midtown definetly gives me a West Loop/Fulton Market feel but again, wayy to many parking lots and howell mill is a disaster. The West Loop has a concentrated plan and there accomplishing that. Fulton Market is probably the best restaurant neighborhood in the country. What's the plan for West Midtown? They're kind of just building developments there with no actual goal.

I mean the goal is for developers to make money off residential and retail development. This is the south. You don't see too much public infrastructure investment here but thankfully the Beltine has proved that using public money is actually leads to good results and more sustainable businesses. Most urban improvements here are done because private developers build on a lot and improve the streetscape while doing it. This city doesn't like to spend money even if it's earmarked (probably because someone is pocketing it or funding their friends or family).

[Chi-town]

Originally Posted by demonta4

I mean the goal is for developers to make money off residential and retail development. This is the south. You don't see too much public infrastructure investment here but thankfully the Beltine has proved that using public money is actually leads to good results and more sustainable businesses. Most urban improvements here are done because private developers build on a lot and improve the streetscape while doing it. This city doesn't like to spend money even if it's earmarked (probably because someone is pocketing it or funding their friends or family).

Planning and setting goals for a city is a good thing. Not taking into account traffic increase and in Atlanta's case ... Streets that are not continuous. Is not in the best interest of its future.

Seems setting goals and steering development. Really is a good thing. Otherwise.... fixing things afterwards can actually be more costly.

Atlanta still will gain the result and if less car-oriented. It will be a good thing. Just LACKING PLANNING is nor best to that goal where people still need a car. Downtown with huge parking garages is a scourge that is a blemish in a otherwise urban core.

Chicago was early to the game of setting building standards and chose how it was splitting each block that developers then built accordingly. Being very uniform and thru its post-fire early days, were a success in urbanity. American-style uniform blocks thru every era it grew.

In Chicago, you can anywhere get off any expressway and find a continuous street to your goal location. Atlanta ... streets can abruptly end. And only option may be a feeder road to the expressway.

[grin123]

Originally Posted by Redlionjr

I don't know West Midtown's plans but if you're comparing it to Chicago or if Chicago's the standard than it'll never impress you.

Why can't it be compared to Chicago? Atlanta was founded in 1847, Chicago 1837, literally just 10 years apart. Atlanta is also growing wayy faster than Chicago so it should have better development?

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by Chi-town

Planning and setting goals for a city is a good thing. Not taking into account traffic increase and in Atlanta's case ... Streets that are not continuous. Is not in the best interest of its future.

Seems setting goals and steering development. Really is a good thing. Otherwise.... fixing things afterwards can actually be more costly.

Atlanta still will gain the result and if less car-oriented. It will be a good thing. Just LACKING PLANNING is nor best to that goal where people still need a car. Downtown with huge parking garages is a scourge that is a blemish in a otherwise urban core.

Chicago was early to the game of setting building standards and chose how it was splitting each block that developers then built accordingly. Being very uniform and thru its post-fire early days, were a success in urbanity. American-style uniform blocks thru every era it grew.

In Chicago, you can anywhere get off any expressway and find a continuous street to your goal location. Atlanta ... streets can abruptly end. And only option may be a feeder road to the expressway.

You're totally right, a lack of planning will definitely worsen traffic issues here, but I feel like the number one priority should be to focus on pedestrians and ensure that people are at least within walking/biking distance to their daily needs (and also expanding transit) I personally don't care how much gridlock suburban commuters have to go through on city streets. Most cities around the world don't have planned street systems and it doesn't affect walkability at all.