Why are there no curbs in Miami / South Florida? (Weston: houses, neighborhood)

[cityKing]

I noticed in a lot of places surrounding Miami or South Florida for that matter, residential areas don't seem to have curbs?

Typically in any part of the country, there are curbs/sidewalks , but lots of places in Miami I noticed don't.

Another thing I find weird is that many people just park straight on the grass, instead of in there designated parking spot.

You can do your own research on google maps to see for yourself. Anybody know why?

I think it looks horrible people parking on there grass and residential areas with no curbs.

I wonder why this is so normal in many places in South Florida / Miami ?

Here is an example of what I am talking about :

[UrbanCrossroads]

I live in a suburb, and although there are sidewalks, there are no curbs. Curbs in a suburban residential neighborhood can actually look kinda cheap.

Also, some people on my block park their cars on the grass (in addition to parking on the driveway) but that's only because their driveway doesn't have enough space for all their cars.

[szyy]

I've noticed the same thing some time ago. I though have no idea why. The car thing may have something to do with changing population in Miami. I guess those houses were designed for less people than they currently held but Latinos sometimes can't afford larger houses so they live with their parents or so (and that makes three or four cars per family instead of two).

[mbmcnev]

It's a result of local stormwater management techniques. Curbs are often avoided to allow from stormwater to run off onto the swales (which are often slightly lower than the roadway), where a good portion of it percolates into the soil. This reduces the load on the drainage system, and reduces the level of pollutants entering the wastewater system which would then have to be removed.

[FlyMIA]

It's 100% better that way even though my neighborhood has curbs, no sidewalks there is no where to fit them. It's natural, looks better and as noted above makes a lot more sense with our heavy downpours. Let the water flow naturally into the ground etcs.. Why have storm water run off. Areas with flooding problems tend to have more curbs.

As for the cars, there is the crazy possibility that people have more cars than space or people have family and friends over. Just a thought.

Originally Posted by szyy

I've noticed the same thing some time ago. I though have no idea why. The car thing may have something to do with changing population in Miami. I guess those houses were designed for less people than they currently held but Latinos sometimes can't afford larger houses so they live with their parents or so (and that makes three or four cars per family instead of two).

Latinos really? Lets be serious now. Miami is home to the most sucessful and wealthy Latinos in this country. You can just say lower income people or even poor people. Are you seriously saying Latinos? Plenty of other people are poor as well. You're ridiculous. Also kids at 16 have cars, or a grandmother might have a car who lives with her children and grand children etc.. Not saying having a lot of cars does not mean many people living there but being poor does not need to the be the reason and in Miami Latinos are stereotyped into being poor because that could not be farther from the truth.

[cityKing]

Originally Posted by FlyMIA

It's 100% better that way even though my neighborhood has curbs, no sidewalks there is no where to fit them. It's natural, looks better and as noted above makes a lot more sense with our heavy downpours.

I disagree it looks cheap and tacky, you can still have a curb and having people properly parking in there space and NOT have any water problems. It looks very poor planned, and crowded in a lot of the innerland. A lot of the houses need updating as well.. I say they just get a bulldozer and start from scratch again... They should gentrify all the ghetto/tacky parts and make it look more like Weston.

[FlyMIA]

Originally Posted by cityKing

I disagree it looks cheap and tacky, you can still have a curb and having people properly parking in there space and NOT have any water problems. It looks very poor planned, and crowded in a lot of the innerland. A lot of the houses need updating as well.. I say they just get a bulldozer and start from scratch again... They should gentrify all the ghetto/tacky parts and make it look more like Weston.

I can agree with the gentifrication but the last thing I want Miami to look like is Weston and the rest of suburbia land. Don't get wrong Weston is nice, and there is a place for suburbia. But making a whole county look like it is not a good thing.

I think no curbs makes it look less planned. More natural like its suppose to be. We just have different taste. You will find plenty of both on Miami though.

[roadtrip75]

Originally Posted by cityKing

Another thing I find weird is that many people just park straight on the grass, instead of in there designated parking spot.

One reason is simply because you can. Due to the climate, you can grow tough grasses here that can withstand heavy wear & tear. In most parts of the country, the grass that they grow can't handle cars.

[roadtrip75]

Originally Posted by FlyMIA

I can agree with the gentifrication but the last thing I want Miami to look like is Weston and the rest of suburbia land. Don't get wrong Weston is nice, and there is a place for suburbia.

Don't kid yourself. Every single place in Dade County that has spare cash has the cookie cutter Disney look. The only exception is the small part of South Beach which has enacted laws preventing developers from doing that.

[cityKing]

Originally Posted by FlyMIA

I can agree with the gentifrication but the last thing I want Miami to look like is Weston and the rest of suburbia land. Don't get wrong Weston is nice, and there is a place for suburbia. But making a whole county look like it is not a good thing.

I'd rather have inland Dade County look like Weston than some 3rd world cess pool. It has a GREAT downtown and lots of other great places, but the residential areas for your average family are highly undesirable.

Originally Posted by FlyMIA

I think no curbs makes it look less planned. More natural like its suppose to be. We just have different taste. You will find plenty of both on Miami though.

I think having no curbs again, makes it look tacky, poor planned, especially when you have cars parking on the grass. That's exactly what Mexicans do , in other parts of the country, instead tho, they park there lowriders in the front yard.