Quote:
Originally Posted by dfiler
Efficiency metrics depend on how broad a study is performed. If it only includes percentage of floor space that is usable, of course skyscrapers are less efficient. However if transportation factors are figured in, they are extremely efficient. When the density of a city exceeds a certain threshold, public transit becomes viable. Not just viable, but actually the optimal way of moving people between all the places they need to go in a single day. Less space is needed for parking, less money is spent on transportation and gas, less money is spent to repair road damage, average commute times are decreased, etc.
In my opinion, the worst thing that could happen to Pittsburgh at this point in its development would be to build suburban style corporate campuses. It would kill our recent urban renaissance. Just look at the modern development along technology drive near the hot metal bridge. It resembles a lifeless ghost town despite being in active use. Compare this to the opposite side of the river where the southside works was built in a traditional urban style to foster street life and urban living.
So in my book the south side works is a huge success and technology drive the epitome of botched urban planning. I would love to see more developments such as the south side works. It seems to perfectly blend modern requirements with centuries of tried and true urban structure.
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Oh I actually agree with you on all counts. I always wondered what the hell was the point of Technology Drive. I don't like suburban corporate parks even in the fricking suburbs -- ones that are already built. They eventually lead to a gradual deterioration of that particular suburb in the long run.
I've been saying for a long time how important it is for Pittsburgh to expand its public transportation system. I often wonder why the service isn't more regional. All of the surrounding counties have their own transportation agency. If anyone didn't know any better, they'd think that Pittsburgh's metropolitan area only included Allegheny County. Look around at some of the other metro areas and observe their area of service. Port Authority is a joke. I guess nobody else (WCTA, BCTA, etc...) is willing to consolidate into more of a regional public transportation agency. I guess one major reason is that the costs will probably sky-rocket, but I think they could rather efficiently move more people from place to place...
That whole above argument is what leads me to the whole idea of high-rise developments. I like them because they represent urban vibrancy (if planned and designed right, that is) as well as economic fortitude. High rises tend to yield higher populations and vise versa (larger concentration of jobs and living quarters). Therefore, IMO, they are the best use of almost any parcel of land within the urban core of any urbanized area, especially one like Pittsburgh. Of course, access to transportation would be ideal for a high-rise development for the reasons you mentioned (greater transit access yields less need for parking).
Even when you don't have a high-rise development, you can still have that sense of urban vibrancy like you mentioned with the South Side. Of course, taller buildings just would not fit in very well in this neighborhood or anywhere else that is not Downtown, the North Shore, or Oakland...
On a side note, is there any new info regarding the possible commuter rail line along the Allegheny River? I still envision an expansive rail network linking once-connected suburbs by the Pittsburgh Railways like New Castle and Butler, along with a line using the CSX ROW extending through the Streets Run valley to Findleyville and back out to Washington.
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