LIVING BEHIND THE GARAGE DOOR

Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density, auto-dependent development on rural land, with associated design features that encourage car dependency; LIVING BEHIND THE GARAGE DOOR.

Just comments on urban Sprawl:

Residents of sprawling neighborhoods tend to emit more pollution per person and suffer more traffic fatalities.(drive everywhere)

Sprawl is also linked with increased obesity since walking and bicycling are not viable commuting options.(car, garage, car, garage)

Urban sprawl may be partly responsible for the decline in social interaction in the United States. Compact neighborhoods can foster casual social interactions among neighbors and local store owners, while sprawl creates barriers. Sprawl tends to replace public spaces with private spaces such as fenced-in backyards.(drive though the gate, into the garage)

Urban Street Performers

Last week when I was in Santa Monica, CA I saw the greatest urban street performance in my lifetime. The guy didn't sing, didn't play an instrument, he didn't even dance. Actually, he just sat there and played records.

This is what modern mixed-use shopping centers like, Mercato in Naples, FL, are missing. Developers have created the urban downtown look with small open spaces and residential living above commercial units. They fail to create a true urban environment because they lack day to day retail stores like grocery, haircut, gas, and cheap eats. In my opinion, these new mixed-use urban shopping centers lack one major thing; Urban Street Performers. Nothing brings a street alive like live unfiltered street performances. These people are usually raw talent and doing what they love.

Sitting in the street spinning records because you can...I like that!