Quote:
Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse
I would say the #1 reason that the automobile based culture cannot continue is that it isn't economically feasible to do so.
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But the "problem" is that is IS economically feasable - heck for state and industry it doesn't get any better..
The house itself is very expesive so people need to loan a lot of money and work a lot of hours - the construction and maintenece, as well as all the things that goes it it creates a lot of jobs and all in all it circulates more money than any other option around.. so that means a lot of jobs, taxes and work..
Then comes the roads - while innitially an expense for a state they still creates jobs in many ways ( heavy machinery, engeneers, cityplaners, construction and so on ) and depending on financial system taxation for the roads can easily cover the expenses
The cars also creates jobs and puts money into circulation and while fossil fuels may not be unlimited that's not a major problem as the more expensive gas becomes the harder people will work to pay for it and the more tax the state will get from it..
Eventually alternative technology becomes the cheaper alternative and will take over ( be it hydrogen or electricity time will tell )
So suburbs are here to stay for a lot of reasons - that it's what most people want is by no means the main reason - the main reason is that it's the way of life that brings the most money into circulation - thus brings in tax revenue, creates jobs and increases land value..
Humans do have the technology to make huge structures that can house 100.000 people and as many workplaces, heck even create the food needed locally, but it's too efficient to be of interest of anyone with enough power to make it happen - we need money to flow in capitalistic world and the more expenses people have the more they will work creating a circle of "win win" for all.. so neither cars nor suburbs will go anywhere anytime soon regardless of how they affect land, people or nations