Comments on: Detroit and the Georgia water crisis http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/ Intellectual discussions on pressing issues Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:26:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: cnulan http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9501 cnulan Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:25:33 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9501 <a href="http://www.endofsuburbia.com/" rel="nofollow">the end of suburbia</a> and <a href="http://jameshowardkunstler.typepad.com/clusterfuck_nation/" rel="nofollow">clusterfuck nation</a> are good places to examine what's in store for ATL and many another bloated and unprepared metropolitan sprawl. the end of suburbia and clusterfuck nation are good places to examine what’s in store for ATL and many another bloated and unprepared metropolitan sprawl.

]]> By: cnulan http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9499 cnulan Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:18:06 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9499 without a doubt, those entirely unnatural desert cities will "go back to the land" - but the ATL sprawl is - landlocked water situation notwithstanding - an unsustainable energy hog that will go through some significant and shattering contractions - or perish. without a doubt, those entirely unnatural desert cities will “go back to the land” - but the ATL sprawl is - landlocked water situation notwithstanding - an unsustainable energy hog that will go through some significant and shattering contractions - or perish.

]]> By: Atl to Stl http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9496 Atl to Stl Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:16:43 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9496 Hey Professor Spence, I hear you on the topic of the natural infrastructure that Atlanta and other like cities sit on. But I'll watch the western cities (Austin, San Antonio, Phoenix) die down before we become a parched desert. I think rain started pouring in Atlanta when you posed the question about Atlanta or Detroit. And it was a good rain. That's a great piece on your grandmother. That really strikes a chord hearing about your aunt. I wish your family the best. Hey Professor Spence,

I hear you on the topic of the natural infrastructure that Atlanta and other like cities sit on. But I’ll watch the western cities (Austin, San Antonio, Phoenix) die down before we become a parched desert. I think rain started pouring in Atlanta when you posed the question about Atlanta or Detroit. And it was a good rain.

That’s a great piece on your grandmother. That really strikes a chord hearing about your aunt. I wish your family the best.

]]> By: bygbaby http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9478 bygbaby Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:20:22 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9478 I would rather be here even with the short comings of gov't & the economy. That water issue is major but I am torn on how I feel about it. The endangered species need to be protected mos def but human lives need to be preserved as well. The army corp needs to do something to create a balance. Lastly, the governor of GA is acting way too late in IMO. Bygbaby I would rather be here even with the short comings of gov’t & the economy. That water issue is major but I am torn on how I feel about it.

The endangered species need to be protected mos def but human lives need to be preserved as well. The army corp needs to do something to create a balance. Lastly, the governor of GA is acting way too late in IMO.

Bygbaby

]]> By: Bryan Alexander http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9445 Bryan Alexander Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:41:54 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9445 I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother, Lester. All best to your family. I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother, Lester. All best to your family.

]]> By: Lester Spence http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9409 Lester Spence Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:25:27 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9409 Ryun! I'd expect you to represent...you're SUPPOSED to. And to the extent that my post seems like a dis against ATL in favor of the DTW (DTW is an airport acronym for "Detroit Willow Run" which is what Detroit Metropolitan Airport used to be called), your post is understandable. But Craig is right. Just like there are whole swaths of towns that disappeared once Route 66 was no longer used to transport folks from the east to the west coast...there are going to be a number of cities that are going to fall off of the map solely because they don't have the natural infrastructure to support themselves. Atlanta is one of those cities. Ryun! I’d expect you to represent…you’re SUPPOSED to. And to the extent that my post seems like a dis against ATL in favor of the DTW (DTW is an airport acronym for “Detroit Willow Run” which is what Detroit Metropolitan Airport used to be called), your post is understandable.

But Craig is right. Just like there are whole swaths of towns that disappeared once Route 66 was no longer used to transport folks from the east to the west coast…there are going to be a number of cities that are going to fall off of the map solely because they don’t have the natural infrastructure to support themselves. Atlanta is one of those cities.

]]> By: cnulan http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9399 cnulan Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:51:45 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9399 My condolences to you and your family Lester. As a long term play 10-20 years - Detroit has the potential to resume its mecca status due to climatic, resource, and infrastructural advantages that are vastly undervalued at this moment. Frankly, Atlanta has none of these and it's vulnerabilities (as well as the vulnerabilities of the entire region) are on stark display at this time. There have also been building and population booms in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson - but how could anyone in their right mind consider moving into the desert given what's happening in the energy market? It simply cannot persist. My condolences to you and your family Lester.

As a long term play 10-20 years - Detroit has the potential to resume its mecca status due to climatic, resource, and infrastructural advantages that are vastly undervalued at this moment.

Frankly, Atlanta has none of these and it’s vulnerabilities (as well as the vulnerabilities of the entire region) are on stark display at this time. There have also been building and population booms in Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson - but how could anyone in their right mind consider moving into the desert given what’s happening in the energy market? It simply cannot persist.

]]> By: Atl to Stl http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9389 Atl to Stl Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:20:31 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/10/22/detroit-and-the-georgia-water-crisis/#comment-9389 I have to represent the hometown. Being in an artery of the midwest I don't see any reverse immigration trends to the rustbelt in the near future, especially when looking at the most recent census stats. Atlanta's political core is too creative to drought itself out of a continuing population boom. And it hasn't been enough of a concern for millions of other people flocking to the fastest growing regions (and urban areas) in the country. Check out this link for good demographics stats: http://www.ewgateway.org/pdffiles/library/wws/wws06.pdf Each of the top three regions (which includes suburbs) in population growth - Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta - have severe water problems. Luckily, these regions have seen the highest urbanization as well. (1. Atlanta, 2. Phoenix, 7.Austin for 'central city population change'). I believe that water issues will only force these regions to focus more on the urban core. Urban density seems good for water preservation: no lawns to water; denser living leads to more efficient water systems for buildings. So, in a way, having to face the water issue could lead to better development practices for Atlanta. Also, Atlanta is in the forefront of great 'green development.' As elitist, exclusive, and expensive as that development can be, it is becoming more and more mainstream. So, Atlantans might have to choose between oil, for the automobile, and water, for life. That might not be such a bad option if Atlantans are willing to rub elbows with each other and continue the race to the city. Also, with the constantly growing black population, the city of Atlanta will be unique from other urban cores across the country, which seem to be attracting the primarily white yuppie and retired crowd. Atl represent I have to represent the hometown.
Being in an artery of the midwest I don’t see any reverse immigration trends to the rustbelt in the near future, especially when looking at the most recent census stats. Atlanta’s political core is too creative to drought itself out of a continuing population boom. And it hasn’t been enough of a concern for millions of other people flocking to the fastest growing regions (and urban areas) in the country. Check out this link for good demographics stats:
http://www.ewgateway.org/pdffiles/library/wws/wws06.pdf
Each of the top three regions (which includes suburbs) in population growth - Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta - have severe water problems. Luckily, these regions have seen the highest urbanization as well. (1. Atlanta, 2. Phoenix, 7.Austin for ‘central city population change’). I believe that water issues will only force these regions to focus more on the urban core. Urban density seems good for water preservation: no lawns to water; denser living leads to more efficient water systems for buildings. So, in a way, having to face the water issue could lead to better development practices for Atlanta. Also, Atlanta is in the forefront of great ‘green development.’ As elitist, exclusive, and expensive as that development can be, it is becoming more and more mainstream.

So, Atlantans might have to choose between oil, for the automobile, and water, for life. That might not be such a bad option if Atlantans are willing to rub elbows with each other and continue the race to the city. Also, with the constantly growing black population, the city of Atlanta will be unique from other urban cores across the country, which seem to be attracting the primarily white yuppie and retired crowd. Atl represent

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