Since the Second World War our nation has built upon a trend of suburbanization. There is no doubt that we have now reached the tipping point where this trend will need to fade. Point forward the natural trend should be in reverse, we need to learn to build a more urban central society. We simply cannot continue down the path which we have created, and perhaps more importantly, we cannot continue to rely on cheap energy.
Fort Worth is perhaps a prime example of “worst-case-scenario”. Already in a major metropolitan location, Fort Worth has grown to be one of the largest cities is the country. We have completely neglected efficient public transportation, and our infrastructure hardly promotes its introduction. That is unfortunate, but it can change. What really concerns me the most is what will come if we mismanage this transition. During suburbanization we generally could point to inner cities becoming the slums of the marginalized, giving rise to the negative connotations associated with the phrase “inner-city”. Mismanagement of the transition could end with the marginalized being pushed to the outer parameters of any given metro area (Mexico City is a good example of this).
Fort Worth has done well to build out an urban residential market preemptive to skyrocketing demand, but what will come of those old suburbs?
I consider myself to be a fairly conservative person, more of the Ron Paul persuasion lately, I was a bit upset when I read a recent post from Fort Worthology.
