Some of the south has public areas that aren’t available to the north, like beaches.
But, I think it’s a bad combination of multiple factors. Cities designed after cars became popular, vs. European cities where they tried to adapt cars to existing roads (while often keeping public squares etc.) Cities designed by European immigrants who came from warmer climates, and didn’t plan for winter spaces. Cities designed by people who worship capitalism, vs. cities designed around a balance between capitalism and socialism.
Towns and cities built up before cars are more conducive to more people-centric activities and are likely to have more such traditions. Many cities in the northeast are like this, more “European”.
However most US cities and towns had large growth spurts after the car, all that new construction built up as car-centric. Basically 80 years of growth that we’re now seeing wasn’t the best choice. We have that 80 years to make back, 80 years of construction in the way, and it’s no longer fueled by fast growth.
I think it as somewhat similar to Europe rebuilding after the world wars. Both had huge building booms. The different choices were more from a point of privilege from not being bombed. Intact infrastructure and greater wealth from wartime industry and intact manufacturing tended toward different choices that were starting to regret
All of these same issues are present in the warmer states as well, so that doesn’t seem to make much difference.
Some of the south has public areas that aren’t available to the north, like beaches.
But, I think it’s a bad combination of multiple factors. Cities designed after cars became popular, vs. European cities where they tried to adapt cars to existing roads (while often keeping public squares etc.) Cities designed by European immigrants who came from warmer climates, and didn’t plan for winter spaces. Cities designed by people who worship capitalism, vs. cities designed around a balance between capitalism and socialism.
Towns and cities built up before cars are more conducive to more people-centric activities and are likely to have more such traditions. Many cities in the northeast are like this, more “European”.
However most US cities and towns had large growth spurts after the car, all that new construction built up as car-centric. Basically 80 years of growth that we’re now seeing wasn’t the best choice. We have that 80 years to make back, 80 years of construction in the way, and it’s no longer fueled by fast growth.
I think it as somewhat similar to Europe rebuilding after the world wars. Both had huge building booms. The different choices were more from a point of privilege from not being bombed. Intact infrastructure and greater wealth from wartime industry and intact manufacturing tended toward different choices that were starting to regret