Substantial challenges faced by the united states
Urban areas all over the United States have seen substantial challenges over the years, each with their own stories and situations. From a broad view, the assigned documentary provided a great outline for the general issues for the modern day city over the last 80 years. The largest theme being the importance of places for people which has become far from the reality of many cities today. One of the largest challenges facing cities today is an urban landscape that attempts to merge the realities of suburban life with that of urban life. For example, the increasing presence of parking garages, large intersections, and car-friendly streetscapes. When cities are made for the people that commute into them daily, they take from the livability of their residents. Without “vibrant public spaces”, robust commercial corridors, and improved and sustainable transportation and mobility options, it makes it even more financially difficult for those who actually reside in the city. The ability to spend money in your neighborhood, without driving outside of the city to purchase goods and services, promotes local business and community wealth. Urban areas all over the United States have seen substantial challenges over the years, each with their own stories and situations. From a broad view, the assigned documentary provided a great outline for the general issues for the modern day city over the last 80 years. The largest theme being the importance of places for people which has become far from the reality of many cities today. One of the largest challenges facing cities today is an urban landscape that attempts to merge the realities of suburban life with that of urban life. For example, the increasing presence of parking garages, large intersections, and car-friendly streetscapes. When cities are made for the people that commute into them daily, they take from the livability of their residents. Without “vibrant public spaces”, robust commercial corridors, and improved and sustainable transportation and mobility options, it makes it even more financially difficult for those who actually reside in the city. The ability to spend money in your neighborhood, without driving outside of the city to purchase goods and services, promotes local business and community wealth.