However,
these are fun posts to write. I’ll probably
begin a new list of follow-up ideas tomorrow.
Look for a regular return of this type of post.
Also, if
your lunch hour only allows enough time for you to click on one link, save it
for the last one. It’s the best read of
the bunch.
Charleston
Commercial District: I recently wrote that Charleston’s downtown commercial district is a more
enjoyable place to walk than Savannah’s downtown. A loyal reader from the Low Country agreed
with me and added another point to the argument. Downtown Charleston has played a greater role
in U.S. history
In
particular, he reminded me that the 1860 Democratic National Convention was
held in a hall on Charleston’s Meeting Street.
When the delegates reached an irreconcilable divide over the question of
slavery, the convention fell apart. The
two factions eventually nominated rival candidates. The schism opened the door for the election
of Abraham Lincoln and the war was on.
Indeed, some argue that the true start of the Civil War was not at Fort
Sumter in Charleston Harbor, but at the convention hall on Meeting Street.
I was
pleased with the history lesson. I
remember seeing the hall on Meeting Street, now known as Hibernian Hall, and
not being particularly impressed. Although
I did find the historically significant buildings at the corner of King and
Broad to be architecturally appealing.
In general
however, I’m not convinced that history adds greatly to a downtown
experience. For a subset of the public, in
which I’m included, history is a nice bit of additional flavor. But a well-configured downtown doesn’t need
history to be successful. History is
like the cherry on top of a sundae. It’s
a nice final addition, but if the sundae is well-made, it truly isn’t
necessary.
Savannah
Commercial District: Perhaps Charleston has the more enjoyably walkable
setting, but Savannah isn’t doing badly.
The Atlanta Journal-Commerce writes of the
economic strength of downtown Savannah.
The article specifically notes the role of bicycles lanes and Richard
Florida’s “creative class” in building vitality.
Florida is an
urban theorist from Toronto who believes that the people who are engaged in
creative endeavors have an outsized role in urban success. His name has arisen before in this blog and
will continue to return often, including a short distance below.
Squares of
Savannah: In December, I wrote of my
deep affection for the public squares of Savannah. The Project for Public Places agrees with enthusiasm. I particularly enjoy James Howard Kunstler’s
comment about Savannah and its squares, "It's
an incredibly beautiful place. Savannah
is like being on another planet that vaguely has U.S. characteristics, but
you're not on the same earth. It's
freaky."
Toronto
Mayor: After writing about a bicycle lane controversy in Toronto, I noted that
the car-friendly mayor had been removed from office because he failed to
properly respond to a conflict of interest.
I wrote too soon. An appellate
court reversed the decision on a narrow technicality, so Mayor Ford continues
in office.
But Richard
Florida continues to believe that Ford is the wrong person to lead
Toronto. In The Globe and Mail, Florida argues that, for many
countries, big city mayors are the most important political leaders and that
what cities need are strong, charismatic leaders with creative agendas, not
mean-spirited, small-thinking products of a deeply partisan electorate. It’s hard to argue with Florida. It’s also hard to visualize how we get from
where we are today to where Florida argues we should be.
It’s a
Wonderful Life: On Christmas Eve, I suggested that the
community spirit shown toward George Bailey at the conclusion of “It’s a
Wonderful Life” was the result of the walkable urban character of Bedford
Falls.
But even as
I wrote those words, I was also aware of the other side. That for much of his life Bailey had been eager
to leave Bedford Falls behind and to build non-walkable cities elsewhere. And that even when he was forced to remain in
Bedford Falls, his biggest achievement had been Bailey Park, a drivable
suburban development that rejected much of what made Bedford Falls special. It was as if the shadow of what StrongTowns
calls the “Suburban Experiment” was hovering over the movie.
Patrick
Deneen in What I Saw in America agrees and points out
the full extent to which drivable suburbia was hiding just off stage. If you know the movie, this is the link that
I absolutely recommend you read and ponder.
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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