I'd only assume you've never been to Morocco before, sometimes they go far enough to put chairs and tables on the road itself, and when something happens, they'll blame you for being "blind"
Why not just say you are against privatization and deregulation instead of tossing a word out there that just confuses people. They see "liberal" in there somewhere and associate them with these 19th century policy ideas that are the antithesis of liberal. Thank you
Scenes from Barcelona, a city with a storied tradition of being captured by neoliberal corporate stooges. Streateries occupying parking spaces, pedestrianized street/plaza areas, and sidewalks
A few more. I wish I'd thought to capture more street scenes while I was there!
The cities in southern Spain like Seville and Granada in a lot of ways have even more blending of the public and private realms than Barcelona. Hope you get to go to Granada and Cordoba while you're there!
As an European I am so amused by this post 😂 This actually something we are looking for, especially in Spain. Most city center are car-free by choice because citizens doesn’t want disgusting parking everywhere. Those restaurants are actually paying a rent for the space so it benefit the city too…
But most European restaurants and cafes rent these spaces from the communal services at yearly basis. And most of them are not put for sale like never.
your reply is also more nuanced than the OP was getting at.. general sense in US sometimes that local govt is inhibiting to urbanism (which is often true but not the whole story)
We are starting to get this in Manchester. Love it. I live in a village right outside Manchester - our whole street went from a wide empty road to lovely outside sitting areas for numerous cafes we got here
Oh don’t think I understand your issue? I mean are you mad that you have to walk and take a leisurely pace? Of I’m not mistaken.. and in things like this, I’m generally not, the “idea” of dining al fresco has been around for.. well since the dawn of communal eating in human history.
The funny thing is that we all do. The hot trend in development are these little fake city areas with public spaces, car free areas, restaurants and homes all mixed in.
You are not wrong. It takes 10 minutes to add city council meetings to your calendar, and at least half the time the meetings are very entertaining. Need to advocate for these spaces with adjacent real estate prioritized for locally owned businesses.
I don’t think the city of Pittsburgh can obey any type of planning 😂 we are snake trails cut out of mountains, and are busted up into neighborhoods… I love it lol we have on street dining and “whatever goes” type of parking. We will never blend into one, it will never happen lol
so the funny thing about this sentence is that city planners can recommend it changes, but cannot implement it without the will of a city government to do so.
Damn I was about to reply something scathing. Only after reading about 'parking a car' I realized it was all a sarcasm. Well played, Sir.. very well played.
The privatization of public spaces fractures the harmony of shared existence. Spaces meant for unity become barriers of exclusion, reflecting imbalance. True progress preserves connection, where collective joy and access remind humanity of the oneness underpinning all existence.
You live in another world. This out door dinning life style is taking hold and world is changing, and people prefer to dine outdoor rather than be in room with the voice of every idiot blasting off the walls. Neoliberalism—BS.
There is no problem but in the US you'll get complains about corporations taking over the public space (and parking) and then the seating gets removed and parking comes back.
I suspect that when you only allow small amounts of this kind of activity, it ends up being dominated by corporate entries because they have the deepest pockets.
But if you let anybody do it, then it becomes spontaneous and organic.
Cities can charge for the public space used. It's the public that wants both parking and outdoor seating, etc. Maybe more underground parking? Better public transit?
When I drive I greatly prefer a dedicated parking structure over street parking. It's such a waste of time to endlessly circle blocks to find street parking. AFAIK in most US cities they are only allowed in the busiest parts of downtown though
This happened in Italian cities decades ago! In central Rome you'll find Restaurants take up ALL pavement space and much of many of its squares. But local citizens often don't benefit from the extra charges the local authorities levy from restaurants using these spaces!
I'm from Seville, but 3 years ago, I moved to a village in Aljarafe that is 15 kms from the capital. Eventually, I hate it until I go for a walk in my city. It's a theme park of thousands of people who have nothing to do in life but fly in cheap planes back and forth on the planet.
that pathway needs to be a road for cars and those trees needa be replaced with a couple traffic signs, might aswell make the buildings fast food restaurants while were at it
Isn’t it simply wonderful? I live in Spain (Madrid), and life is so enjoyable here. The people are kind, they have amazing culture and history, and their food is fabulous.
Comments
Use a bicycle!
Bus!
The cities in southern Spain like Seville and Granada in a lot of ways have even more blending of the public and private realms than Barcelona. Hope you get to go to Granada and Cordoba while you're there!
Neoliberalism mixed with Islamic conservatism.
Good, I miss civilisation.
#deadcity
And saying you want it, but not changing the backdrop to actually create it, does not qualify as wanting it, to me.
And the fake ones in shopping malls don’t count. Has to be a legit city street.
There is such a thing as spontaneous order.
(Yes, it is sacasm. I am not a moron.)
But if you let anybody do it, then it becomes spontaneous and organic.
The key is freedom.