I’ve been getting more reader feedback and here’s a letter from Mack Nugent, a fourth-year political science student at the University of Alberta. Mack includes many arguments I’ve heard against suburban growth and a link to an academic paper.
“Dear Ms. Stolte,
“Thanks for taking your time to write about the suburbs, however I feel your impression of the suburbs to be completely misguided. In general, there is evidence that residents of a suburban neighbourhood compared to an “urban” neighbourhood:
-have a weaker connection to their neighbourhood
-are more cynical and fearful of their neighbours (coincidently tend to vote conservative)
-live in a neighbourhood that cost significantly more for the city to develop and maintain
-live in a neighbourhood that is less economically beneficial, sometimes harmful to the city
-have higher rates of obesity because their neighbourhoods are auto-dependent
“I’m not an urban planning student but I do know a little about the subject.
“Here’s something I wrote about the way Edmonton should preferably develop …
“Anyways, I’m not trying to bombard you with my ramblings. I truly believe that Edmonton’s current model of development (ie. neighbourhoods like Summerside) are harmful to the long-term economic, social, and environmental sustainability of Edmonton. If you have time, please take a look.”
Comments, questions? Send them to me at livingedge@edmontonjournal.com, and follow this project at www.edmontonjournal.com/livingedge. We’re tweeting comments with the hashtag #yegedge.
