Given the
day, I’m not going to burden you with a thousand words about density,
StrongTowns, or mixed use. They’re all
important subjects, but there’s a whole New Year coming up in which they’ll
still be important.
Instead, I
have a small homework assignment for you.
Find “It’s a Wonderful Life” in your local television listings. It shouldn’t be hard. But if can’t locate it, you can watch it here. If you’ve never seen the movie, you should probably
watch all of it. But if you’re like most
of us and have seen it many times, just watch the last ten minutes.
And then
ponder the extent to which Bedford Falls is a walkable urban setting. Sure there are cars on the streets, but much
of the action is accomplished by pedestrians.
George as a young man delivers drugs by on foot. George and Mary court, not in the front seat
of a car, but on a sidewalk. Uncle Billy
walks to the bank with the deposit that he will soon misplace. Indeed, the most important car moment is when
George has an accident.
Then think
about the way the community town rallies around George in his despair, breaking
open piggy banks all over town to make up the missing funds. I’m not going to suggest that Frank Capra
produced realistic movies. “It’s a
Wonderful Life” is fairy tale. But it’s
a fairy tale that tells of a town that many of us find attractive. In our dreams, many of us want to live in
Bedford Falls.
Your
homework is to identify ways in which your community can be more like Bedford Falls. And I suggest that you start with
walkability.
To everyone
of whatever faith, have a great holiday season.
And may you find your own Bedford Falls.
As always,
your questions or comments will be appreciated.
Please comment below or email me.
And thanks for reading. - Dave Alden (davealden53@comcast.net)
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