How Suburban Development Makes American Cities Poorer [ST02]
Why Hacker News recommends it
Cited in urban planning threads as an accessible explanation of why low-density suburbs cost more to maintain than they bring in.
What it is
Not Just Bikes contrasts traditional and suburban development in North America. It looks at the financials behind each pattern and argues that suburban development leaves cities unable to pay for their own infrastructure.
Recommended by 1 HN commenters across 1 different months, 2021 to 2024.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec Rendello · 2021-07 · on “We’d rather have the iceberg than the ship”
Not Just Bikes is a great channel on urban development, and he did a series on Strong Towns' ideas specifically. I like this one, "How Suburban Development Makes American Cities Poorer". [this video]
Cites imtringued · 2021-01 · on “Americans Don’t Know What Urban Collapse Looks Like”
That's a problem with suburbia. You need a lot of road per house. The tax money you receive doesn't cover maintenance. Even the worst city blocks bring in enough tax revenue to maintain their roads. [this video]
Cites anonporridge · 2021-04 · on “Study finds ride-sharing intensifies urban road congestion”
It breeds efficiency and self sufficiency. Less wasted resources on virtually every metric. Suburbia on the other hand makes us all worse off. [this video]
Cites gaff33 · 2023-07 · on “Electric Vehicles for Everyone? The Impossible Dream”
The problem is that low density urban areas are subsidsed by high densisty urban areas: [LINK] [this video] etc They are also terrible for the planet.
Cites rglullis · 2024-07 · on “If we want a shift to walking, we need to prioritize dignity”
Holy shit, talk about reading things out of context. You, dear sir, have absolutely nothing in common with the average North American who lives in the suburbs. The question was not directed at you. If you want to at least try to understand the context before jumping to give your opinion and share with us your psycho issues, try watching [this video]