Comments on: The challenge of dense sprawl http://emergenturbanism.com/2008/10/22/the-challenge-of-dense-sprawl/ Rediscovering urban complexity Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:35:57 +0000 hourly 1 By: Josh Mahar http://emergenturbanism.com/2008/10/22/the-challenge-of-dense-sprawl/comment-page-1/#comment-87 Josh Mahar Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:17:52 +0000 http://mathieuhelie.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-87 I completely agree with all of this but if you "do away with zoning codes" wouldn't that mean people would simply buy up huge amounts of land and develop them anyway. Undoubtedly they would completely destroy the fabric of the city, but not without making money first. It seems that the one provision would have to be lot size. I completely agree with all of this but if you “do away with zoning codes” wouldn’t that mean people would simply buy up huge amounts of land and develop them anyway. Undoubtedly they would completely destroy the fabric of the city, but not without making money first.

It seems that the one provision would have to be lot size.

]]> By: Mathieu Helie http://emergenturbanism.com/2008/10/22/the-challenge-of-dense-sprawl/comment-page-1/#comment-86 Mathieu Helie Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:35:26 +0000 http://mathieuhelie.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-86 Of course it is not possible to create a link between two parts of the urban fabric if they are not already spatially connected. Even if L.A. was to abolish all of its zoning codes, it would just turn out to be like Houston unless the design of the public space, the connective fabric of promenades, streets, avenues and expressways, is properly balanced. That cannot be regulated onto developers, it has to come from the city's own initiative. Of course it is not possible to create a link between two parts of the urban fabric if they are not already spatially connected. Even if L.A. was to abolish all of its zoning codes, it would just turn out to be like Houston unless the design of the public space, the connective fabric of promenades, streets, avenues and expressways, is properly balanced. That cannot be regulated onto developers, it has to come from the city’s own initiative.

]]> By: Laurence Aurbach http://emergenturbanism.com/2008/10/22/the-challenge-of-dense-sprawl/comment-page-1/#comment-85 Laurence Aurbach Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:24:09 +0000 http://mathieuhelie.wordpress.com/?p=160#comment-85 You wrote: The solution to sprawl is not increasing density, but increasing complementarity. " That is part of it, but note also that Los Angeles has very high complementarity is many areas, but remains extremely auto-oriented. I'd say that's because the experience of walking is so horrible on much of L.A.'s streets. And a lot of that is the result of L.A. development regulations that mandate ever-increasing accommodations for autos with every increment of new development. You wrote: The solution to sprawl is not increasing density, but increasing complementarity. ”

That is part of it, but note also that Los Angeles has very high complementarity is many areas, but remains extremely auto-oriented. I’d say that’s because the experience of walking is so horrible on much of L.A.’s streets. And a lot of that is the result of L.A. development regulations that mandate ever-increasing accommodations for autos with every increment of new development.

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