How L.A did it

Southern California has turned around from the most sprawled region to the most livable urban life. Full story...

Here are some lessons learned from L.A:

After 50 years of doubting, it has finally become clear that freeways don't relieve congestion but induce it. The promise of free and rapid mobility by car through the L.A. basin has been dashed. Commuting across the region is out of control. The half-hour freeway ride between Pasadena and Santa Monica is now a distressing 11/2 hours in the morning and evening.

As a result, alternative means of mobility have emerged and prospered. In the past decade, bus and rail systems have become regional in their reach. Working at home or closer to home is increasingly seen as a preferred way of living in Los Angeles. Transit-oriented development is becoming an alternative to extensive car ownership and time-wasteful commuting by car.

When will Cincinnati wakes up? There are simply many other things that people can do by choosing to develop a rail line rather than developing one more lane of highway. And that there are other choices than automobile to go to and from work.

The METROMOVES plan was rejected three years ago, and some optimists said that it will take at least two other ballots until people realize that light rail is one answer to a healthy region. Think about what can people do with light rail. How much more money you could save by using light rail and park your car more in the garage. And how convenient it is for people to be able to access jobs and schools without having to own a car?

Most of the healthy regions did it: L.A., Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle, New York. Could I even dream that someday Cincinnati will have one?

More articles on LA:
Don't Let L.A. be the GM of Cities