Quote:
Originally Posted by TitleRequired
Fair enough. Much of the discussion on this facet of urban non-planning comes from the US. A recent financial post article ( https://archive.ph/iv3kJ) discusses the same for Edmonton.
A relevant quote:
And crime is rampant in many urban centres, as last week’s visit to Edmonton reminded me. If people feel unsafe downtown, only very generous subsidies will persuade them to live there.
So far, I have not heard many municipal politicians concede their cities are turning into doughnuts. But if that is happening, they’re going to need a new approach to municipal priorities. Wishful thinking about the good old days of an urban core living off a commercial property gold mine won’t pay the bills.
SJ is just further along the process. |
I’ve been a little busy lately, but I assume it’s the idea that cities start off as a Boston Cream, but end up chocolate glazed with a big hole in the middle, with all the custard consumed by those in the outlying suburbs. Though, due to the coastal nature of Saint John, and out eastward growth trajectory down the highway, I guess we’re more comparable to a Long John with most of the filling on the King's County side or the "border"
I’ll definitely read more into it later, as if it’s based on mostly American realities, it’s definitely relatable to SJ, as I feel we have a more American experience and dynamic between city and suburbs here than the typical Canadian experience. I appreciate you sharing the concept and links.
I will say though, Edmonton isn’t exactly comparable to Saint John, as the city proper population of Edmonton is well over a million now, while their CMA population is barely over 1.4 million. Strathcona and St. Albert aren’t the tail that wags the dog (Edmonton) like Rothesay and Quispamsis are here in Saint John.
Saint John’s CMA is basically 50% city proper — 50% outlying suburbs and rural communities. While some of this 50% of the CMA living outside the city limits might have justifiable reasons to not be a part of the same municipality as the city at the centre of their metropolitan region, others just don’t. Kennebecasis Park? Like come on
Threaded Mode