Auntie Em! Sprawl!

This video and the blog on Wired.com which it used as its source, suggests a frightening consequence of sprawl that I had neither heard of nor considered. In doing so, it presents new considerations when planning the solution to sprawl. The beginning of the video lists very logical issues associated with sprawl, such as air and water pollution, but it then moves on to say that these side effects of sprawl could be the cause of extreme weather conditions. According to the blog, $250 million worth of damage was caused to Atlanta by an immense tornado in March. As the narrator of the video says, the storm was allowed to grow to its size due to the characteristics of urban sprawl such as drought and "urban heat pockets." This article really brought the realization of the consequences of sprawl to a new level for me. Its intensity is definitive proof of the effects that sprawl has on the environment.

With such intense consequences on the plate, we can't just worry about making roads straight and houses unique. When we look for a solution to sprawl, we may now have to pay closer attention to breaking down the heat our city gives off and the responsible use of water. It's not just a cosmetic or convenience issue anymore. This is about safety.

-Andrew Van Deventer

Best Overall Neighborhood

Of all the towns we have studied this semester, I think that the best town overall was Peachtree City. This neighborhood has qualities of both a traditional and a sprawling area, and it works extremely well here. Peachtree City is home to some of the best schools in the state of Georgia and it is growing rapidly. In this town, there are over 90 miles of golf cart roads that can be used to run, bike, or teach a young and aspiring driver good driving practices. In addition, the city is full of public spaces like golf courses and parks for kids to get out and play.

In examining the many benefits of a sprawling neighborhood, it is hard to be completely against them. For example, most people get along better with their neighbor because there are few differences between them. Most of the citizens make roughly the same amount of money which removes the awkwardness of economical discrimination. Also, because of this all around higher income, the school districts are better and the schools have more money; therefore making them more up to date with technology and education standards. In addition, being in a different environment than one's place of business is pleasant because it allows one to leave work worries at the office. Granted, with all the driving that comes with the separation of work and home, there is a great need for cars to get to and from anywhere. But in a city with as many "green practices" as Peachtree City, this is a minor trade off.

Peachtree City also has some of the aspects of a traditional neighborhood. For instance, there are plenty of public spaces to meet and greet one's neighbors and enjoy the outdoors. In a city with as many outdoor attractions as this one, the desire to stay inside is greatly reduced as most kids want to get outside and socialize. While "walkability" isn't one of Peachtree City's bigger qualities, the environmentally friendly practice of driving golf carts is a major plus for the city and the cart paths are great for walking or jogging on. The city does take up a lot of space which is the biggest problem of sprawl, it is part of the American Dream to own a big house and lots of land. This city is the best example of an attempt to please everyone's values in terms of a neighborhood and effective land use standards.

-Michael Saunders

What is America's Identity?

This entire class has been focused mainly on the notion of a "Southern Identity," but what about the North? Does the North identify with their own set of cultural norms? The answer, while not an entirely black and white one, is fairly easy to ballpark with a simple trip to Google's search engine. Type in 'southern identity' on Google and it spits out a plethora of articles about the southern United States including news articles, books, magazines, and websites dedicated entirely to the South's pride. Trying 'northern identity' however yields nothing. Not only does the term not appear at all on the drop down menu, but the articles that appear after the search button is pressed lack any sort of affiliation with the United States. After searching for at least a half an hour, I still failed to find a single article about Northern identity. It's just not a term that is used. Northerners have a certain way of life, but they don't necessarily have that emotional bond to their way of life that Southerners have.

The North's missing identity then caused me to come back to the question that I've been neglecting all semester. Is identity in the United States properly applied? This class has showed me that identity is indeed important, and that a sense of passion for one's surroundings can create comfort, community, and a better way to live. However, in a way that is similar to the subject of my previous blog about the separation of the suburban and urban environments, the United States has developed an unhealthy separation of identities within itself. Two different articles about the decline of Southern Identity, one in USA Today and one in the Seatle Pi, look at the same problem with entirely different view points. The USA Today article surprisingly seems to look upon the South favorably, but the Seatle Pi tends towards the North. However, both articles have undertones that suggest the rivalry that is ever present between the two sections of our country. The Seatle Pi provides several quotations that scorn both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line then makes a couple comments about the South such as an unnecessary study on adult toothlessness. The USA Today article seems to try to remain as neutral as possible, but nevertheless dons a slight hint of resentment toward cultures other than those considered 'southern.' The North seems capable of developing an identity but only when it is needed to bash a Southerner or fend off a Southern critic. On the other end, the South's fiery opinions and intense attachment to their way of life feed off of their resentment towards the North. Both are constantly trying to prove better than the other. To futher the tension, the North and the South are constantly addressed as separate beings despite their unification under the American flag. Both articles, as well as my blog, capitalize the words 'Northerner' and 'Southerner' as if the words indicated members of different countries as opposed to members of different sections of one nation. The very name of our country insinuates unification, and yet we are not unified

Southern identity is something that will never go away, and I'm not contending that it should. I'm suggesting that it be looked upon as something to share with the North, not to fight it with, and that it be allowed to loosen a little. Would it not make more sense to strip ourselves slightly of our Southern and Northern identities and begin working toward an American identity? When taking into consideration the opposition that still resides in our nation 150 years after the end of the Civil War, the McMansionization and franchisation of America takes on a new light. It is true that different areas must have their own unique features, but wouldn't a sense of nationwide similarity be beneficial to us as a people? Slathering sprawl all over America may not be the answer, but something must be done to put to rest the illusion of separation that our nation suffers from. If America can break down the barriers that suffocate its community, or it can create surroundings that are to an extent similar throughout all of its reaches, no American will ever feel completely like an outcast.

-Andrew Van Deventer

Big Weekend in Atlanta

I wanted to blog about a very big event coming up this weekend in Atlanta. As the entire state knows, Georgia Tech is playing the University of Georgia, if one could call it a university, at Bobby Dodd Stadium. As the fans gear up in their white and gold or red and black, the excitement can be felt everywhere in the state of Georgia. Alumni of Georgia Tech come back to re-experience the intensity of the stadium and UGA alumni come to see what an academically challenging school looks like. This event will bring a lot of people to the city of Atlanta, and in an already crowded and sprawling city, it will be extremely crowded.

Atlanta is considered sprawl,as defined by the authors of Suburban Nation, and therefore already has problems with traffic as all vehicle are funneled into wide streets that are easily congested. With all this attention being put on the city, will something be done to try to improve on the design of the city? The streets of the city are overcrowded without the addition of any other visitors and with the addition of each fan coming to see the game, the problem gets much worse.

But there is another side to Atlanta that isn't effected by sprawl which has been spreading rapidly across the nation. Outside of downtown Atlanta, the city can be considered traditional according to the views of the writers of Suburban Nation. The sidewalks are wide enough for a heavy flow of pedestrians and walking distances are very common for desired locations. According to the authors of Suburban Nation, this area should be able to handle the increase of people as fans come in for the game. Unfortunately, it can't.

Although the book says that traditional cities are more adaptable to great influx of people and traffic never gets too congested, in practice this does not seem to be the case. So is a traditional neighborhood really significantly better? In terms of ability to handle large amounts of people, the answer is definitely no. So as we all head out for the game, you should challenge yourself to think of a better design for a city that can bring together the better qualities of both traditional and sprawling areas.

--Michael Saunders

Macon, Georgis: my favorite example of traditonal neighborhood

My entire family is from Macon, Georgia, and I have always loved visiting everyone. Downtown Macon is full of history and activities such as the famous Cherry Tree Festival. I have always known that I loved Macon, but it was not until my English class that I realized that down town Macon is a perfect example of a traditional neighborhood, and that is one of the reasons I have always enjoyed spending time there.

Downtown Macon is full of historic homes that were built before the Civil War, and these homes are always my favorite to look at. I have visited homes such as the Cannonball House , a mansion that was hit with a cannonball during Stoneman’s raid but restored beautifully. Other things to do include The Cherry Tree Festival; Macon is famous for their cherry trees, and the pink blossoms add so much beauty to Macon. Not only is Macon historic, but it incorporates narrow roads with parking on all the roads with large sidewalks. Restaurants and small shops line the road. This setup provides walkability, a characteristic of traditional neighborhood according to the authors of Suburban Nation. Because of the setup of the area, there is a greater sense of community. People walk instead of drive cars around the neighborhood allowing everyone to get to know each other adding to sense of community. The public spaces such as the museums also add to the sense.

I am excited for my next visit to Macon next weekend. I will make sure to take the time to appreciate its historic value and and the setup of the area. Everyone is so friendly, and being there lets me enjoy my Southern roots and background.

Molly Waller

European Sprawl: Who's to blame?

I read an article recently called European Urban Sprawl which disputs the myth that American sprawl is the cause of sprawl in Europe. The article was aged, but it made several observations which still apply to today. Supposedly, according to the article, Europe's incline in sprawl cannot be contributed to America, but instead was birthed of its own accord. The thing that piqued my interest about the article was the claim that Europe's public transit, which is very large when compared with America's, had little affect on the incline of sprawl and the usage of the automobile. Supposedly, European automobile usage has grown at a rate of three times that of America's since the 1970's. Even though the automobile preyed on Europe after it fed on America, public transit was not use against its onslaught.



The question then arises that if the use of public transit, a constantly suggested solution to sprawl, has not had an affect on the uprise of sprawl, how can it result in sprawl's downfall? A more recent article, Myth and Reality About European Sprawl, updated me on Europe's sprawl, and revealed that, just as is the case in America, sprawl is dying. There are many conclusions that can be made from all of this information, but I choose to see the most obvious one: the death of sprawl will only come about with a rise of awareness. Public transit cannot fight sprawl by itself, though it helps. The human population must see that their true enemy is not each other, but the car. Only once sprawl's automobile henchman is stifled, can the people win against suburbia.

-Andy Van Deventer

A Slight Change of Pace

So far this semester, this class has only focussed on the different views of sprawl and towns that are good examples of sprawl or traditional neighborhoods. But there are other types of town settings that I would like to focus on for a moment. Specifically, I am talking about the living environment of big city life and its positives and negatives. For my topic of discussion, I chose New York City.

New York is well known for being overcrowded, busy, and tough for those individuals who aren't ready for the "big city" atmosphere. Given these facts, it is easy to see why some call it "the concrete jungle." As far as the eye can see are big, towering buildings that seem to reach up until they peirce the sky. These structures were deemed more important than mother nature, so the once green feilds have now been covered by dark gray asphault.

Yet somehow, this city has won over the affection of so many who have given the city affectionate nicknames such as "The Big Apple," "The City of Dreams," and "The Melting Pot" just to name a few. But the nickname I chose to focus on is "The City That Never Sleeps."

The title, "The City That Never Sleeps," can be interpreted many different ways depending on the person. For those who dislike the city, they say this name was given to describe the how overwhelmingly busy the city is and how no one has time to sleep because they have work to do. But for those who enjoy there time in the city, they say that the name states how exciting the city is and how there is always something fun to do so no one goes to sleep. No matter how much each side of the arguement is defended and supported, it is impossible to change one's view of the city. Hopefully, this blog will prevent any quick conclusions for those who have yet to experience "The City That Never Sleeps."

As far as the criteria goes for a good traditional neighborhood, New York City does have a few positives. For instance, the sidewalks are nice and wide which allows plenty of space to walk. Also, there is parallel parking which was said to be a reassuring quality for those citizens who chose to walk. In addition, public transportation is everywhere in the form of taxi cabs and the subway train. Furthermore, the city wastes no space as buildings stand side by side with little to no gap in between. Unfortunately there is a minus for every plus.

The sidewalks are built so wide because of the heavy flow of pedestrians who must use it to walk to and from work or other desired locations. the parallel parking is a nice quality but there is no chance of ever finding a spot to park in the city. Every spot is constantly occupied and as soon as someone tried to leave a spot, another car would be pulling in. Furthermore, public transportation sounds nice but it too is almost impossible to obtain and is highly undesireable. An available taxi in New York is hard to come by and the subway is extremely crowded and frightening at times. And as far as good use of space goes, the the building are built so close together to allow space for more buildings.

Personally, I enjoy the city because there are plenty of things to do at night. Clubs will be open or one could go to Madison Square Garden and see a basketball game. And if the group is big enough, it is nice to just walk around and see everything lit up at night. Whether or not you'll enjoy the city is a decision you'll have to make for yourself.

--Michael Saunders

Advertising Traditonal Neighborhoods

California: the state known for the beach and relaxation. But why does everyone think that? Constant advertisements featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, wine, and beaches on television, magazines, and on- line. Of all states, I think California does the best job at advertising itself.

When I think of California, I think of San Francisco. San Francisco is home to wonderful weather, public transportation, and an overall unique character. San Francisco would be classified as a traditional neighborhood according to the authors of Suburban Nation. Traditional neighborhoods are classified as a much better option than sprawl in Suburban Nation, and they think that these types of neighborhood are much more appealing to everyone.

California’s tourism is a huge industry, and one reason I think everyone wants to visit is because of the success of their advertisements. Advertisers pick places in California that are classified as traditional neighborhoods to show the public. Because of this, I think of all of California as a traditional neighborhood.

Molly Waller

This cartoon, perhaps unintentionally, addresses a disadvantage of sprawl that is not typically mentioned in most articles about it. Modern society's obsession with separating things has created an enormous chasm between those in the urban environment and those in the suburbs. This separation shackles its victims on either side with unique identities; those in the city identify with the city and those in suburbia identify with their McMansions. In a natural situation, unique identities mean unique cultures and a healthy diversity, but the identities created by sprawl are unnatural. Instead of creating pride and color, the irritated seperation of people who are not so far apart causes an anxiety and resentment.

As is shown in the video, the city is represented as a place of danger to those suburbians who dare wander into it. I myself experienced this in my transition from the cookie cutter neighborhood of my home to the "dangerous" avenues of the city. Before I even arrived at Tech, my head was filled with terrifying stories and ominous warnings. On the other side, the video shows the hatred or mockery that those in the urban environment show toward their suburban neighbors. The representation of the suburban people in the cartoon is the "hiphopsterus imposterus," a weak, spoiled wannabe.

On a much higher, and possibly more presumptuous level, this video and the separation in general reveals a much deeper tension. Although, it is somewhat artificial, there is a certain status that is maintained by those who own McMansions. This pseudostatus is not bestowed upon those who reside in the city and is the cause of some of the resentment shown in this video. It creates a sort of class tension. Despite the fact that this claim to wealth is more often than not an illusion, the suburban people are marked as upper class and those in the city as a lower one. But the tensions go even deeper.

Racial tension is formed as a result of the distance between these two kinds of developments and this creates a much more serious problem. As is the case in Atlanta, suburbs are mostly populated by whites while the city is dominated by african americans. As a result, neither neighbor, despite their relative closeness feels as if they can identify with one another and in a south where racial differences are already boiling, the sprawl fed sun of injected diversity is an unwelcome guest.