  Mind_field Member Username: Mind_field Post Number: 632 Registered: 10-2003 |
So there is this term in urban planning circles called critical mass. IMO, it's something that can't be measured finitely, so saying a city's core has critical mass is subjective. In this week's issue of Model D media, there is an article about walkable urbanity in metro Detroit. In the article, they were interviewing some urban planning guy who stated that several downtowns of major cities have reached critical mass including San Diego, Portland, Seattle, and CHATANOOGA! When do you think downtown Detroit will reach critical mass, if you think it hasn't happened already? What events will precipitate this apex of urbanity, if they haven't yet happened already? What is preventing downtown Detroit from reaching critical mass? Discuss. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 535 Registered: 02-2006 |
Parking lots. But seriously, it's more the general aversion to walking that permeates Metro Detroit. Same as in LA, walking, riding a bike, or taking public transit is seen by the majority as something for the poor or crazy. | ||
Grey Member Username: Grey Post Number: 258 Registered: 05-2004 |
The last Friday of every month. http://www.criticalmassdetroit .org/ | ||
Stecks77 Member Username: Stecks77 Post Number: 122 Registered: 08-2006 |
Here's the Model D link: http://www.modeldmedia.com/fea tures/umuli67.aspx | ||
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw Post Number: 2170 Registered: 02-2005 |
We can define critical mass with regards to different things/ideas. I think we've reached the critical mass (or let's say tipping point) when it comes to people being comfortable with downtown, enough so that the largest crowds in a couple decades are down there regularly, and enough so that there is clear positive momentum in terms of increasing population. When it comes to actual critical mass of population and retail, we will not reach it until there are enough people downtown or enough people willing to go downtown such that nearly all (95% +) the storefronts are occupied. Not even Woodward's storefronts are completely occupied. Total critical mass means that the above stipulation is met, and we no longer have abandoned buildings (we may have some vacant apartments and offices, but not completely undeveloped buildings), and that parking lots are beginning to be built on. When the Broderick and Whitney and UA and Lafayette and Free Press and BC and Fort Shelby buildings are all rehabbed, and when prime real estate like the Monroe Block or the plots on Woodward near Comerica Park are no longer flat. | ||
Dougw Member Username: Dougw Post Number: 1381 Registered: 11-2003 |
That Model D article was excellent. Here's an interesting excerpt:
My only quibble would be that I'd assume the Detroit metro area skews a bit toward preferring drivable suburbanism, due to the regional car culture. Say, 40-50% preferring drivable suburbanism, 20-30% preferring walkable urbanism, and 30% who don't know what they want. But that's still a huge number of people who'd like to live in a walkable urban environment, *way* more than enough to make downtown Detroit a vibrant area. The bit about the pendulum is dead-on, though. | ||
Kilgore_south Member Username: Kilgore_south Post Number: 197 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hell even 20-30% would be enough to fill most of the City. But to make most of the city truly walkable, of course, you'd need light rail or streetcars or an expanded people mover, and I really don't want to open that can of worms in this thread. Oops. | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 1844 Registered: 10-2003 |
To be perfectly honest, no one really knows what anyone wants. Suburbia has been subsidized for so long, that it's the only realistic (or legal) option in most places. On top of that, any survey or poll would only catch responses from a fleeting moment in time. For example, when the Highway Trust Fund goes broke in six years, or gas reaches $4/ gallon, how many people are realistically going to "prefer" driveable suburbia? |
