So...here is the real question of the day. Who decided American young people between the ages of 18-23 should move out of their parents' homes and forge their own way in life? Historically (and by historically I mean for the past few millenia), young adults have simply lived in their parents' homes until they started their own families. This is still the case in the majority of Latin and South America as well as other cultures around the globe. Sure, there is something to be said for having your own place. You get to make all of the decisions and you know who ate the last cookie in the cookie jar. BUT...think of all of the wasted energy.
As I write this, I am sitting on the couch in my new apartment that I will inhabit through August of this year. My apartment is approximately 750 square feet, with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, walk-in closet, in-house laundry, and patio. Since I am in Texas, it is ungodly hot and I have the air conditioning on (though I set it at a reasonable 78 degrees Farenheit) in order to help my poor native Minnesotan body adjust to the unreasonable temperatures. The dishwasher is also running. It was only half full even though it has been 4 days since I last ran it. I had to run it because I am flying to Louisville, Kentucky tomorrow for a 7 day stay and I didn't want my dishes to mold up while I was gone. The point of these ramblings is this:
I am using approximately 1 bajillion kilowatts of energy to cool my new home and wash my dishes. The space I live in could easily accomodate at least one more person comfortably. If I could live with my parents (or at least some roommates like the commune of 5 adults in 1500 square feet I lived in a week ago), I could save approximately 1 bajillion kilowatts and still be happy, comfortable, and have plenty of space for any alone time I may need (though I rarely need it due to my extroverted nature).
Unnecessary waste is inherent in every facet of American culture.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Germany should take over the world...
The movement to live locally is growing stronger everyday, but here in midwestern America, it isn't as easy as it could or should be. Enter the community of Vauban, Germany. In Vauban, life is local because it is designed to be. Car ownership is heavily discouraged. There are no roads within the community wide enough for automobiles and a parking space in the community's parking garage must be purchased like any other form of real estate and will run you around $40,000. Have no fear, however, you don't need a car to live here. A local grocery shop is right down the street and everything you need is within walking distance due to a beautiful mixed zoning policy. Now you may say, "What if I need to visit Ma Suntken in Berlin?" Once again, the urban planners were using their thinking caps. The train station is right on the edge of the community, walkable from any home.
Indeed, the pictures of Vauban in a recent New York Times article make the community look positively utopian. But despite the clear quality of life perks of living in Vauban, the success of the designed community has not spurred a worldwide revolution in which we transform suburbia from a place where our lawns stretch endlessly to the horizon into a place where our children can play in the streets without fear of being hit by a driver filled with road rage.
In fact, here in the U.S., there continues to be substantial resistance to what should be a simple choice when one weighs the pros and cons. The standard answers I receive when I passionately discuss local eating, bicycle commuting, organic gardening, making my own cheese, etc. with my friends and family center around the cost and inconvenience of actually taking up any of these earth-saving habits. But Vauban puts both of those concerns to rest. It isn't inconvenient to bike to the grocery store when the store is a few blocks away. It isn't more expensive to ride the bus or train when owning a car requires a significant additional investment.
With Vauban leading German planning into the 21st century, I say, let the Germans rule!
Indeed, the pictures of Vauban in a recent New York Times article make the community look positively utopian. But despite the clear quality of life perks of living in Vauban, the success of the designed community has not spurred a worldwide revolution in which we transform suburbia from a place where our lawns stretch endlessly to the horizon into a place where our children can play in the streets without fear of being hit by a driver filled with road rage.
In fact, here in the U.S., there continues to be substantial resistance to what should be a simple choice when one weighs the pros and cons. The standard answers I receive when I passionately discuss local eating, bicycle commuting, organic gardening, making my own cheese, etc. with my friends and family center around the cost and inconvenience of actually taking up any of these earth-saving habits. But Vauban puts both of those concerns to rest. It isn't inconvenient to bike to the grocery store when the store is a few blocks away. It isn't more expensive to ride the bus or train when owning a car requires a significant additional investment.
With Vauban leading German planning into the 21st century, I say, let the Germans rule!
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