Comments on: My Urban Plan for New Orleans

By: Errant

Errant — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 08:33:08 +0000

In an "only-for-the-rich" town even janitors may earn high wages. Otherwise, why would the rich may choose to live in a place without services?
Another solution may be "suburbs" where the "working class" may live. Let the individuals decide freely and a spontaneous order will appear, one that we cannot predict nor plan.

By: Roxanna

Roxanna — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 05:27:58 +0000

This seems like a very sound concept at first sight. However, I have been doing a lot of research on the topic (which is how I found this site) and you are overlooking one important fact. Your theory does not account for the working class who are needed to fill minimum wage or low paying jobs. Where will they live if all the housing is high priced. It would also not be practical for them to commute because many don't have vehicles. Even if they do have a car gas prices are too high for low income workers to live outside the city and commute. And a city can not survive without workers to fill positions as grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, restaurant cooks and servers, janitors, ect. Also, our middle income workers such as teachers, small business owners and employees, etc. need affordable housing to attract them to the area.
What you propose would create a society built for the rich who will in turn have no one to give them the services rich people desire and expect.

By: Vox

Vox — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 17:52:10 +0000

Novel Concept

Over at Coyote Blog: Here is my urban plan for New Orleans: Every person who owns property can build whatever the hell they want on it. If other people want…

By: BridgetB

BridgetB — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 17:45:17 +0000

Hahahaha. Yea. Why didnt I think of that? Heeeeee.

So then if you just subtract the highly subsidised Federal Flood Insurance program, the added benefit of market pricing esp in New Orleans is that the risks of building and living in certain if not most parts of the area will be reflected in the price. This insures that only those who are willing and able to handle those risks will live there.

This likely means less or no people livivng and working in the riskiest areas (for flooding of course) and so less damage to person and property. And maybe a lot less whinging the next time the Hurricane hits.

By: Max Lybbert

Max Lybbert — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 02:28:01 +0000

I like your plan (and I’m being very serious).

Another, interesting (but more hands-on) approach can be found at http://www.ornery.org/essays/warwatch/2003-09-28-1.html . I notice you both don’t like stadiums. And I agree with that sentiment.