I didn't understand what single-home zoning meant until I moved to Melbourne, because I've always lived in incredibly dense (some say too dense) urban environments. And you are right: single-purpose environments feel incredibly lifeless! I don't particularly want to live over a bar (the noise, the vomit splatters, the cigarette smoke, been there done that) but thoughtfully-planned mixed-use environments are what communities are made of, and it's so interesting to think about fashion in those terms. We can't grow as a community (and as people) without a bit of friction.
i completely agree! that's such a good point about growth, too. i often find that days when i wear something that pushes a bit past my comfort zone are days that i end up feeling best. and i think the more you keep experimenting, the broader your comfort zone gets. my thing with suburbs is there's so little room for experimentation or even encountering others! it's such a contained environment. definitely hard not to close yourself off. are you in a more mixed-use environment in melbourne? i'm dying to visit there--it looks incredible!
When I moved to America, I landed into my uncles SFH in Cupertino. I was baffled by the boring neighborhood and the ugliness of it all. Is this the developed nation of America, I wondered. Why did I move here from the vibrant city I used to live in, I wondered. I kept going for walks and was stunned by how uninspired it all looked on the surface. He then drove me to Stanford to show me around. The university town was anything but boring. I have since lived in university towns and downtowns, for the most part. The suburbs continue to be soul sucking with the lawns with SUVs parked upfront. I am currently in such boring place plotting my escape.
Thank you for bring urbanism into the conversation. It has been quite difficult for me to convince folks that we need more of it to address housing, biodiversity and climate crisis. With the election year, my climate org has decided to be silent on its YIMBY goals to not push people away. Climate people eat their own, is our general consensus. Dont go after their cottages with the talk of townhomes and apartments, is the vibe. Fingers crossed on future wins.
this is so interesting--thanks for keeping the convo going!! it so often feels that conversations around housing/density have become so fear-based. we've positioned a certain amount of space and distance from others as aspirational, but what i think we really need and crave as people is connection. obviously, there's a balance--you do need some alone-time and jurisdiction over your space--but i am always struck by how much happier i feel when i'm able to go for a walk and be among others, with interesting things going on; how nice it is to know people in my community, even just casually. suburbs tend to keep people inside because they're intentionally de-stimulating (frictionless). might be nice for a day, but that's different from your whole life! would be fascinated to learn more about how your org is approaching this conversation and that the conversation is like!
I didn't understand what single-home zoning meant until I moved to Melbourne, because I've always lived in incredibly dense (some say too dense) urban environments. And you are right: single-purpose environments feel incredibly lifeless! I don't particularly want to live over a bar (the noise, the vomit splatters, the cigarette smoke, been there done that) but thoughtfully-planned mixed-use environments are what communities are made of, and it's so interesting to think about fashion in those terms. We can't grow as a community (and as people) without a bit of friction.
i completely agree! that's such a good point about growth, too. i often find that days when i wear something that pushes a bit past my comfort zone are days that i end up feeling best. and i think the more you keep experimenting, the broader your comfort zone gets. my thing with suburbs is there's so little room for experimentation or even encountering others! it's such a contained environment. definitely hard not to close yourself off. are you in a more mixed-use environment in melbourne? i'm dying to visit there--it looks incredible!
When I moved to America, I landed into my uncles SFH in Cupertino. I was baffled by the boring neighborhood and the ugliness of it all. Is this the developed nation of America, I wondered. Why did I move here from the vibrant city I used to live in, I wondered. I kept going for walks and was stunned by how uninspired it all looked on the surface. He then drove me to Stanford to show me around. The university town was anything but boring. I have since lived in university towns and downtowns, for the most part. The suburbs continue to be soul sucking with the lawns with SUVs parked upfront. I am currently in such boring place plotting my escape.
Thank you for bring urbanism into the conversation. It has been quite difficult for me to convince folks that we need more of it to address housing, biodiversity and climate crisis. With the election year, my climate org has decided to be silent on its YIMBY goals to not push people away. Climate people eat their own, is our general consensus. Dont go after their cottages with the talk of townhomes and apartments, is the vibe. Fingers crossed on future wins.
this is so interesting--thanks for keeping the convo going!! it so often feels that conversations around housing/density have become so fear-based. we've positioned a certain amount of space and distance from others as aspirational, but what i think we really need and crave as people is connection. obviously, there's a balance--you do need some alone-time and jurisdiction over your space--but i am always struck by how much happier i feel when i'm able to go for a walk and be among others, with interesting things going on; how nice it is to know people in my community, even just casually. suburbs tend to keep people inside because they're intentionally de-stimulating (frictionless). might be nice for a day, but that's different from your whole life! would be fascinated to learn more about how your org is approaching this conversation and that the conversation is like!