06 March 2008

A Level Playing Field for Cities

If you are on a certain email list, you have already read this editorial:

No region should receive special favors from the ...government... But our cities deserve a level playing field. A level playing field requires that urbanites should not bear an undue burden of caring for the poor and that suburbanites should pay for the environmental costs of energy-intensive lifestyles.

Edward L. Glaeser, a professor economics at Harvard University, is director of the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston.

Read the entire editorial here.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that the editorial was very insightful. Clearly the relatively low cost of energy, combined with clever marketing and relatively low land costs has encouraged the sprawl that exists all around the U.S. For years we have been told that we "can have it all" but have not been aware of the total cost of having it all. In my mind, "All" is not necessarily a huge house with a giant yard around it, but rather a safe, walkable community where there is ethnic and racial diversity as well as economic, social and educational opportunities. In order for the ideas from this editorial to actually be implemented it is important for the people of cities to become involved in the political process. The power to change policy lies in the hands of politicians who are more likely to listen to those who vote than those who do not. Thanks for your blog, it's given me some insight into life in Cincinnati and my family and I look forward to moving there this summer.

CityKin said...

Nickn;
There are lots of great walkable neighborhoods here, I don't think you will be disapointed. Feel free to email me if you want to.

VisuaLingual said...

Interesingly, Cincinnati was just named 10th Best Walking City by Prevention magazine.

Some sample walks are here.

I've heard of a guidebook to local walks that use trails and public stairs but have never actually seen it.

steve-o said...

Mary DuSablon's Cincinnati steps book here.