The "fringe" suburbs are dying, at least in the United States. Their massive expansion has come to a screeching halt. McMansions were build too far away from amenities using an economic model that was unsustainable. The cost to cities to support these suburbs has become an economic burden that most can't afford. Instead, urban areas are thriving. Many baby boomers are downsizing and moving to cities with walkable neighbourhoods and a real sense of community. Gen Y or Millennials are naturally drawn to urban locations. They want amentities, restaurants, hip stores, and access to entertainment. Boomers and Millennials make up over half the American population meaning they are a huge indicator of future trends. These demographics are a reality here in Canada as well. We should be looking at building within Cranbrook, revitalizing our downtown, and providing more housing options.
In Cranbrook, maybe instead of selling people what we have, we should provide them with what they want. We have an amazing community that can be made better by recognizing an opportunity and acting on it.
To read more about the information provided in this article please go here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/26/opinion/the-death-of-the-fringe-suburb.html
I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteFor at least the 22 plus years that I have lived here, Cranbrook has been trying to define its sense of community, and successive councils have failed miserably.
Banners along a street that nobody can read when passing by, a statue of a travelling circus elephant, and constant rebranding with words of too many syllables -- "mountains of opportunity" -- won't do it.
I hope the new mayor and all the councillors won't miss the opportunity to really make Cranbrook the place it can be.