This goes out to all the people that density proponents are marketing to who are at happy hours and lectures instead of at the public meetings. Honestly, the message regarding density is not getting out there, and people who support new urbanism are surprised that change is happening slowly. Well, I fail to see where the surprise is: people at the public meetings are the same people who oppose the very ideas that society is trying to instill in its citizens, like use of public transit, mixed use locations, and shared public spaces. It would seem very difficult to encourage density when few people who support the concept are at the meetings.
Therefore, I am implementing a call to action. Instead of going to happy hours all the time and only networking with people you already know, go to a public meeting. Not only will it give you a chance to expand your network, but you might even catch a glimpse of what the other side is saying. Also, I know that many of you complain about what should be happening in Austin, but is taking too much time. Well, if you never say anything where someone who has power can hear you, it would be rather difficult to give you what you want.
Density, like adult literacy and child welfare, is a cause. If no one at the meeting supports being able to walk to work, the grocery, the bank and childcare, then politicians have to listen to the people who are at the meeting. Obama was elected because a bunch of young people used technology, networking, and community organization skills to support the greater good. Sprawl is not the definition of a strong society, and it will not matter that people wanted cars when the government runs out of money to support the automobile infrastructure, or for people to own an acre a piece, or for parents to drive their children everywhere. Be the change you want to see. If we choose to live in huge houses, buy wasteful vehicles and eat too much, we deserve what we get. Those of you who appreciate walking to the drug store, walking to the movies, and having businesses in your neighborhood without having to get into a car, get to the public meetings. The message is not clear when only one side is speaking.
Therefore, I am implementing a call to action. Instead of going to happy hours all the time and only networking with people you already know, go to a public meeting. Not only will it give you a chance to expand your network, but you might even catch a glimpse of what the other side is saying. Also, I know that many of you complain about what should be happening in Austin, but is taking too much time. Well, if you never say anything where someone who has power can hear you, it would be rather difficult to give you what you want.
Density, like adult literacy and child welfare, is a cause. If no one at the meeting supports being able to walk to work, the grocery, the bank and childcare, then politicians have to listen to the people who are at the meeting. Obama was elected because a bunch of young people used technology, networking, and community organization skills to support the greater good. Sprawl is not the definition of a strong society, and it will not matter that people wanted cars when the government runs out of money to support the automobile infrastructure, or for people to own an acre a piece, or for parents to drive their children everywhere. Be the change you want to see. If we choose to live in huge houses, buy wasteful vehicles and eat too much, we deserve what we get. Those of you who appreciate walking to the drug store, walking to the movies, and having businesses in your neighborhood without having to get into a car, get to the public meetings. The message is not clear when only one side is speaking.
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