Thursday, May 01, 2008

Newer Suburbs

Yglesias day here at Eschaton. Those who built - and bought in - newer suburbs with limited access and no through traffic thought it was a feature, not a bug.

Aside from separating people from retail and other commercial activity, it increases traffic problems by removing spillover alternate routes. The model means you have to get on the freeway or other major artery to get anywhere, and if the freeway is congested or there's an accident there aren't any other options.

But as I said this has long been sold by developers as a feature, as it reduces through traffic and minimizes the presence of strangers who are going to steal your children.