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Comment by 2devnull | Hacker News Reader

I suspect people who like to live in cities prefer them to be car free. I equally suspect people who don’t like cities do not live in cities.

I suspect therefore that this headline is misleading.

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Most people in the US aren't used to car-free cities unless they've traveled abroad. It's not something you realize until you experience it first hand.

One of the major objections is the lack of space in cities. Some people want physical space (>2000 sq-ft). Some want personal space (the ability to have a quiet private alone space). Both are difficult/costly to get in cities and it has nothing to do with cars.

> One of the major objections is the lack of space in cities. Some people want physical space (>2000 sq-ft). Some want personal space (the ability to have a quiet private alone space). Both are difficult/costly to get in cities and it has nothing to do with cars.

I figure I misunderstand your comment, since it sounds so off-the-wall, but according to this article (referenced by OP): https://www.vox.com/a/new-economy-future/cars-cities-technol... , 50-60% of many cities' real estate is devoted to automobiles. So "nothing to do with cars" seems more accurately written as "almost entirely to do with cars." The same is true for having a quiet alone space, based on my experience. Cars are the problem.

The best way to achieve more space in a walkable urban area is to densify. Today Manhattan has fewer residents than it did a century ago, but more and larger buildings. This is partly because people are living and working in more spacious accommodations.

It is normal for people to change opinions about something after experiencing it - in both ways. Some things look and sound bad ... until you tried it. And other things look and sound great ... until you tried it.

Did they do an rct?

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