The Cul De Sac Syndrome

I just finished reading "The Cul De Sac Syndrome: Turning Around the Unsustainable American Dream" by John Wasik, a finance writer for Bloombergs.  I bought the book thinking it would be about redesigning neighborhoods -- the actual layout of them for better community interaction, but the book was more about the dead end we have hit with our economy.

The book rehashed much of what we all already know -- that Americans are in a current world of hurt because we overextended, buying McMansions to keep up with the Joneses on credit that many could not afford. Wasik lays out the history of US policies to encourage home ownership, touting it as the American Dream, which has now gone awry for so many people due to our propensity to spend more than we can afford to maintain appearances that we are indeed successful among our families, friends, and associates.

Wasik delves into the physical unsustainability of suburban neighborhoods that are costly to homeowners in time and gas spent commuting and costly to cities in providing services to vast geographical expanses of houses.  His solution is to revitalize cities with affordable energy efficient housing close to jobs and public services.

My question is: what will become of the suburbs?  We will see gentrification of the cities pushing lower income people to the suburbs -- a reverse of the migrations of several decades ago?  If so we will still badly need public transportation.  Despite our dependence on oil, I don't see Americans giving up their cars anytime soon.  We like our freedom to go where we want when we want and until gas prices get much higher, we'll continue to have an automobile-based society.

Millions of homes could (and should) be retrofitted with more energy efficient appliances, windows, etc. Homeowners, even if they know the cost savings they will see in their energy bills, need to have the money to make upgrades.  Those with the means will buy newly constructed, energy efficient homes or upgrade their homes.  Those without the means will necessarily continue to pay more in utility bills.  There is not an easy solution, even with offering the tax break carrot.  If you're out of work, you're going to spend money to put food on the table, not upgrade your windows.

Wasik also suggests that public schools be funded at the federal or state level vs. locally.  I wholeheartedly agree with his position that education is the basis for a strong nation and economy and a right for all citizens.  School funding based on local tax base provides less funds to schools in lower income areas that probably need more money to provide programs to lift children up. I like this idea.

It will take both changes to public policy and our values to really improve the quality of our built and social environments.  With the current economic crisis, I do believe people will begin living within their means and that smaller homes will become the new norm.  Success now means that you have a job and can make your house payment - who cares about the Joneses?