Austin's Social Inequality May Hurt Its Chances with Amazon
In 1898, British stenographer Ebenezer Howard devised a plan for the ideal city. His short opus, Garden Cities of To-Morrow, became arguably the worlds most influential book on city planning. Howards ideal of balanced growth, proximate open space, clean efficient transportation and energy, public health and vibrant metropolitan culture caught the rapidly urbanizing worlds imagination.
Although Howards vision inspired international community design, spawned national New Towns legislation in several countries and more recently influenced Chinas burgeoning new urban explosion, the United States, barring a few efforts, paid the Garden City idea little heed. Committed to highways, malls, subdivisions and office parks, the U.S. found no need for Howards quaint idea of compact green cities. However, Amazons recent announced search for an ideal city in which to locate its second headquarters could change that.
Specifically eschewing cities with congestion problems and an absence of accessible culture and recreational areas, Amazons Request for Proposals lists requirements for cities hoping to attract the internet retail giant. At stake is up to 50,000 jobs, hundreds of millions of dollars in payroll, and more than $5 billion in capital expenditures. No small incentive for cities to ponder.
The right city, Amazon states, will have, in addition to the perfunctory good business climate, close proximity to transportation infrastructure, mass transit (including light rail), walking and biking options, and easily accessible culture, recreation and green spaces. Amazon is also looking for cities embracing sustainability, renewable energy, recycling, green building and a creative approach to the built environment.
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