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Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel
those are good points, DixieGal, but i think the real issue is the apparent lack of urban planning in US cities ; it doesn't matter the *size* they are if they are designed logically. for example, there are no neighborhoods in Paris which are either entirly residential, or entirely commercial ; with few exceptions all buildings in Paris proper are a mix between private appartments and businesses, and almost all ground floor appartments are rented as commercial spaces for shops or other businesses.
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Actually it is quite the opposite Zelda. Paris and also older New York neighboorhoods are organic... people lived there and worked there... so there is a good mix of residential, office, retail, etc in each area. While as urban planners like to have the Offices all in one area, the Retail in one area, the residential in one area. This is why US commute is so bad, in the AM 90% of the residents are streaming into the downtown office area. In the PM they all leave. If the major residential areas are all one direction the highways are terrible.
I think Doctorow makes this point in his book _Little Brother_ where he talk about why the "City Center" while so beautiful and safe during the day becomes a dangerous ghost town at night with basically thugs and homeless.
BOb