Nothing wrong with living in a rural area without much public transit where cars are necessary. I grew up in the middle of absolutely nowhere, and it was great. But I don’t remember many parking lots in the small towns. Often parking was the dirt in front of the store. I think the article is more focused on urban areas.
However, my vacation in Japan, and Tokyo in particular, reminds me of something. There I was in the largest city in the world, and certain places certainly were very busy and packed full of people. However, at the same time, there was a feeling of freedom of movement. Cars are supposed to represent freedom and independence, but being able to get places without needing to drive there at least for me felt way more free than being trapped in a car. We were walking everywhere, shopping, riding subways and trains and buses, and most of that was completely new to me (even the buses felt different because they were so much more competently run). Yet, at the same time, getting around felt completely natural and instantly comfortable. The stress of a busy train station doesn’t even come close to the stress of driving in rush hour traffic, and I don’t even live in that big a city. I’m mindful that I was a tourist and I wasn’t trying to get to work on time, but there is a human element and feeling of unity that just doesn’t exist driving in a car. And I never had to care about finding a parking spot.
And this might just be cultural, but even in a packed train completely surrounded by people on all sides, there was somehow a sense of privacy and ability to relax. It’s very hard to explain and it may just be one of those things that a person has to experience to understand.
The available greenery and parks were also enhanced and even in some ways felt more accessible because we would just be walking by and there one was ready to be enjoyed.
Again, not to try to take away from the rural experience, I get it. Just my thoughts that switching a dense urban area from cars to public transit, bicycling and walking can also greatly improve one’s experience.
Nothing wrong with living in a rural area without much public transit where cars are necessary. I grew up in the middle of absolutely nowhere, and it was great. But I don’t remember many parking lots in the small towns. Often parking was the dirt in front of the store. I think the article is more focused on urban areas.
However, my vacation in Japan, and Tokyo in particular, reminds me of something. There I was in the largest city in the world, and certain places certainly were very busy and packed full of people. However, at the same time, there was a feeling of freedom of movement. Cars are supposed to represent freedom and independence, but being able to get places without needing to drive there at least for me felt way more free than being trapped in a car. We were walking everywhere, shopping, riding subways and trains and buses, and most of that was completely new to me (even the buses felt different because they were so much more competently run). Yet, at the same time, getting around felt completely natural and instantly comfortable. The stress of a busy train station doesn’t even come close to the stress of driving in rush hour traffic, and I don’t even live in that big a city. I’m mindful that I was a tourist and I wasn’t trying to get to work on time, but there is a human element and feeling of unity that just doesn’t exist driving in a car. And I never had to care about finding a parking spot.
And this might just be cultural, but even in a packed train completely surrounded by people on all sides, there was somehow a sense of privacy and ability to relax. It’s very hard to explain and it may just be one of those things that a person has to experience to understand.
The available greenery and parks were also enhanced and even in some ways felt more accessible because we would just be walking by and there one was ready to be enjoyed.
Again, not to try to take away from the rural experience, I get it. Just my thoughts that switching a dense urban area from cars to public transit, bicycling and walking can also greatly improve one’s experience.