The biggest problem with both MD and VA is that our elected leaders continue to approve development somewhere between urban and suburban that has the benefits of density with the downfalls of auto-centric development. Townhouse developments, while more dense than SFR, continue to exist in this dense but isolated auto centric style development. Roads continue to be too wide to feel safe to walk along or to cross. Parking lots reinforce a subconscious feeling of walkable vs non walkable. Until parking minimums, parking lots, auto centric transportation go away and real bike lanes, safe sidewalks, and a reliable and robust transportation network is established, both will remain in status que. (Looking at you East-West, University Blvd, Kenilworth, and Queens Chapel)
The biggest problem with both MD and VA is that our elected leaders continue to approve development somewhere between urban and suburban that has the benefits of density with the downfalls of auto-centric development. Townhouse developments, while more dense than SFR, continue to exist in this dense but isolated auto centric style development. Roads continue to be too wide to feel safe to walk along or to cross. Parking lots reinforce a subconscious feeling of walkable vs non walkable. Until parking minimums, parking lots, auto centric transportation go away and real bike lanes, safe sidewalks, and a reliable and robust transportation network is established, both will remain in status que. (Looking at you East-West, University Blvd, Kenilworth, and Queens Chapel)
I e what Johnny Sanphilippo (Granola Shotgun) called “density without urbanism.” A thing legitimately to be avoided.
Good to see you come back to this topic.