The following is an extraordinary Twitter exchange beginning with the following tweet on December 11, 2017. I’ve recreated the multiple threads as best I can, but have eliminated the likes, retaining only the comments. The comedy value of some of these tweets are… well, decide for yourself; it’s clearly well worth the read.
How many of these places do you walk to:
Grocery
Coffee Shop
Post Office
Restaurant
Bookstore
Hardware Store
Pharmacy
Doctor
Dentist
Accountant
0: #sprawl
1-2: recovering place
3-5: good #urbanism
6+: great urbanism
#SimpleIndicatorComplexCondition
1. Stefan Pharis @urbanutter Dec 11
Replying to @stevemouzon
What about parks and open space?
2 replies 0 retweets 19 likes
1.1 Steve Mouzon @stevemouzon Dec 11
Parks, greens, squares, and plazas are all important omissions. "Open space" can mean almost anything; most often it means "leftover space that didn't get designed as anything and is therefore useless for most activities, including just hanging out." <end rant>
4 replies 2 retweets 34 likes
1.2 Phil Kehres 📍 ⬆️ ⬅️ ⬇️ ➡️ 🚉 🚏 @wayfindingPK Dec 12
That doesn't really answer the question, though. Green space should be at the top of that list, or at least very near it.
0 replies 0 retweets 2 likes
Replying to @stevemouzon @urbanutter
What’s your point. How much of your money do you give away without expecting anything in return? How many hours a day/week do you give for serving the benefits of strangers?
1 reply 0 retweets 13 likes
Replying to @stevemouzon @urbanutter
Or "we tore down a classic Victorian office building in 1963 and just haven't gotten around to putting anything there yet"
0 replies 0 retweets 2 likes
Adam Shaye Lassiter @adamslassiter Dec 12
Replying to @stevemouzon @urbanutter
Except when that open space is balboa park.... pool, ball fields, zoo, museums, etc
Replying to @g_theonion @stevemouzon
Accountant is a proxy for neighborhood commercial that isn’t medical or retail. I like your list as well. Both doctor and dentist seems redundant to me. Bank, park or school would be more relevant
2 replies 0 retweets 3 likes
Steve Mouzon @stevemouzon Dec 12
Banks, parks, and schools should have been included, as should bars, as you pointed out. Stumbling home from the pub is far safer than driving home!
0 replies 0 retweets 3 likes
Replying to @vjon @stevemouzon @g_theonion
Bar really is a good add too, considering you really shouldn’t be driving there.
Lloyd Alter @lloydalter Dec 12
Replying to @stevemouzon
My shuttle driver in Hartford just told me that he got called to take someone 100 yards from the comfort inn to the Cracker Barrel. Walksheds appear to vary significantly
1 reply 0 retweets 6 likes
Lloyd Alter @lloydalter Dec 12
The thing is, he was right, I tried to go across the street from the same comfort in and there are no sidewalks. Coming home I walked to the traffic light (rare for me but I am in USA) and there was no crosswalk no provision for walking. I needed a shuttle!
2 replies 0 retweets 4 likes
Lloyd Alter @lloydalter Dec 12
On your scale this was -10 at minimum.
0 replies 0 retweets 4 likes
Irena Barker @IrenaBarker Dec 13
Replying to @lloydalter @stevemouzon
this stuff drove me mad when I was in US - frequently found ourselves dashing across 6 lanes of motorway like a bunch of proper British idiots!
0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
Hank Dittmar @HankDittmar Dec 11
Replying to @stevemouzon
All but the accountant.
1 reply 0 retweets 1 like
Robert Sharp @sharp_architect Dec 11
all but, unfortunately, the hardware store.
0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
Nicole L. Stout DPT @NicoleStoutPT Dec 11
Replying to @stevemouzon
I prefer a semi rural setting where these things and their noise, pollution and traffic are not near me. #choices #perspectiveuffer
2 replies 1 retweet 14 likes
You do realize that means you ARE the noise and pollution when you drive there?
7 replies 0 retweets 40 likes
More
Replying to @redjane @stevemouzon @NicoleStoutPT
So how do you propose people in rural areas get around? Horse and trap?
2 replies0 retweets4 likes
Reply
2
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4
Nicole L. Stout DPT @NicoleStoutPT Dec 13
I believe you are also the noise and light pollution when you live there, and generate waste there.
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
lisa curran-lehman @lisacurran1 Dec 13
Well yes of course, but surely you will acknowledge that a carbon footprint (by living close to work and amenities) is smaller (per person) with urban density.
0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
ΧΡΙΣΤΌΦΟΡΟΣ bɝːd @christopherburd Dec 11
Replying to @stevemouzon
Omitted: church, pub.
4 replies 0 retweets 31 likes
Nick Lawyer @nick_lawyer Dec 11
The real question: Does your town have more churches or more pubs?
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
Nick Lawyer @nick_lawyer Dec 11
Surprising. Here in rural MT we’ve got 14 churches and 4 bars.
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
Bu
ΧΡΙΣΤΌΦΟΡΟΣ bɝːd @christopherburd Dec 12
I suspect more pubs than churches in the city (Victoria, British Columbia), but the reverse in the country. Nothing like vast number we saw on our road trip in the Carolinas, once more than 200 churches in a day.
0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
Rahul Mehta @OpportunCity Dec 12
Replying to @stevemouzon
I walk/bike to all, at great risk, amidst a truly sprawling @citymississauga. But if I don't, who will? Need to set an example, be healthy, save $, advocate for change! @bikeMississauga
Also...
0-2: sprawl
2-5: recovering and/or semi-urban
6-9: good urbanism
10: great urbanism
1 reply 0 retweets 2 likes
