[fastcarsfreedom]

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The fundamental problem I have with this argument--and the arguments I often see put forth by other neo-urbanists is that they are basing the renaissance of urban North America on the decline of the suburbs (in fact, they seem gleeful in their use of the word slum.) The basic premise, as I read it, is that urban centres will be reborn because the suburbs will fail for one or a number of reasons. Is a renewal of urban North America impossible without the collapse of "suburbia"? It's a serious question.

Secondly, growing poverty in "inner-ring" suburbs is not a new phenomenon. Anyone who has studied urban issues in any major U.S. city knows that this has been an ongoing issue for the last few decades--as usual Toronto is merely facing the same issues as it's major U.S. counterparts--it's just facing them a decade or two later. Poverty in North York and Scarborough is not news. In fact the displacement of the indigent population in urban areas by this renaissance in fact suggests that this "urban renaissance" is not about diversity at all--but about bringing the same luxury/homogeneity/isolation that the suburbs are so ridiculed for--into the city.

Thirdly, the author ignores the massive demographic shift occuring in society today--boomers are downsizing--and for many, condos are a real and viable option. Nevermind that Toronto's "condo boom" is as prevelant on the 401 corridor as it is in any other area of the city. Is the Scarborough Town Center area considered urban now?

I am most interested in the author's assertion that most people--living in the suburbs--are isolated from what he deems to be an urban life of excitement, freedom and diversity. While he fails to identify just who coupled urban life with these attributes (almost exclusively, apparently)--he also ignores the fact that there are many people in this society who simply prefer the isolation from work, entertainment and shopping. I bristle at the suggestion that I am somehow deluded into a false sense of contentment like some chubby housecat. I tried living in the city--didn't work for me...more power to you if you love it--in fact I encourage you to live and prosper in the city if that's how you roll--afterall, my entire viewpoint is based on the belief that there can be a successful coexistence among the lifestyles of urban, suburban and exurban living. Playing pick up hockey at the arena, cutting my grass and listening to the quiet at night--those things make me happy. Different strokes. The bottom line here is that this author presents what is his viewpoint--a very biased piece--as fact. I should take a straw poll on my block and see how many people are truly miserable--truly trapped out here in this depressing mire. I assure that my poll--regardless of outcome--would be no less scientific than the unsubstantiated claims made by Hume.