Quote:
Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy
The notion that development = improvement remains at the core of urban problems.
We generally need ways of delivering quality low and moderate income housing, not ways of converting whatever (flawed though it may be) low and moderate income housing to luxury housing (or absentee condos for Chinese buyers).
And some areas with high vacancy rates have remained that way for decades - how long do we have to wait for the magical improvers to come in?
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I think Philly’s plan allows for organic regeneration of communities. Give the empty homes to the poor with a promise of ownership and then Leave Them Alone. Let people recreate what we once called “communities” - vibrant places where the “melting pot” concept originated. Stop precluding the would be store owner with a shit ton of regs and licensing horseshit. Let him open his place and sell. Let the craft brewer open with a cheap version of a liquor license instead of forcing him to fork over a king’s ransom. Let the chef open his byob joint without having to fill out 30 forms and pay 20 fees.
Make these places “Ellis Island” zones, where the poor can take a chance and build something, together. Give them a fucking break. Don’t force them to acquire capital to serve Big Finance. Let them act as the immigrants did a hundred years ago. Let them run things off the grid a bit. If they succeed, great. If they fail, how much worse could it be?
Yes, I know the melting pot was part legend. But it was part real, and the real part was what created the best elements of American culture. Give the battered communities to the people who are priced out of our bifurcated economy. Tax them lightly, let them reopen the local stores, parks, theaters, etc. And let immigrants come in and join. It worked a hundred years ago. I’m unaware of what would preclude such a Renaissance today.
And frankly, we need it. This Brave New World Shithole we’re creating where people like us control the cultural innovations is producing a wretchedly dull society. It’s more boring than materialism.
