Fresno to South Bend to Louisville: The Elusive Elements of Civic Success
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From The Readers
83 posts
Asheville Just ‘Happened’ to Develop a Nice Downtown or Did It
In the immortal words from Liberty Valance, "when the legend becomes fact, print the legend." Herewith the legend and reality of Asheville.
Equal Time for Tampa, and More on Asheville Too
Catching up with changes in major cities, and in the Atlantic's own web site
More on Nice Downtowns: Do They Just Happen? Or Are They Made?
Tampa has kept trying to revive its downtown, and has kept failing. Asheville has been wildly successful—but was it even trying at all?
Nice Downtowns: How Did They Get That Way?
"Visitors think, 'That's just how Seattle is.' But it wasn't." Lessons via places ranging from Fresno to Shanghai.
Ask and Ye Shall Be Told, Mystery Airplane Edition
Sometimes crowdsourcing pays off.
That Winning Bid for California’s High-Speed Rail: Is It Suspiciously Low?
Yesterday I noted two seemingly positive developments in the California High-Speed Rail saga. That was installment No. 14 1/2 in the series. For previous episodes see No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, No. 6, No. 7, No. 8, No.…
The Past Is Never Past: Slave Labor in the West Virginia Salt Works
"It is not fair to the men who were forced to work in this industry to celebrate the salt without celebrating them as well."
On the Politics of American Resilience
One reader urges me to embrace my inner conservative. Other readers say: Not so fast!
California High-Speed Rail No. 14: Why You Shouldn’t Get Your Hopes Up for the Self-Driving Car
"Would you prefer a system where you can be instantly teleported from SF to LA? Of course. But that doesn't mean it's going to happen."
In Which I Am Recruited to Switch Political Teams
"What you are discovering on your road trip is the genius of conservatism."
California High-Speed Rail Lucky No. 13: Let’s Look at Maglev and Other Alternatives
Let's Look at Maglev and Other Alternatives. "Should we invest in infrastructure? Absolutely! But the right kind of infrastructure." Some ideas on what that might mean.
No. 12: All Aboard for the California High-Speed Rail Chronicles
In next month's election, Jerry Brown is seeking a fourth term as California's governor and public support for his plan for a north-south bullet train to transform travel in a car-dependent state. Here is more of what's at stake.
The 100% Renewable-Powered City: Too Good to be True?
Balancing substance and symbolism in the movement toward cleaner energy sources
California High-Speed Rail No. 11: Thinking in Time
Everybody talks about the future, but nobody does anything about it.
California High-Speed Rail No. 10: Palate Cleanser
"The decision on HSR is going to shape the future in ways we can't predict, and a touch of modesty in the arguments would be welcome."