Embarrassing Confessions of Urbanists

[Andrew_F]

How have I missed this thread?

I'm sure I'll think of more later, but here's a few:

Glaring at motorists who block sidewalks waiting to exit curb cuts is part of my daily routine as a pedestrian. As a motorist I am guilty of this crime fairly often.

Oftentimes the personable nature and lack of anonymity as a customer at locally owned businesses makes me uncomfortable and drives me to Amazon, Target, and Home Depot.

I'll forever feel a lesser person for the "Edina" on my birth certificate (never lived in a suburb, was just born at Fairview Southdale), and I'll be forever jealous of my sisters (born at Abbott).

I strongly desire to own a single family home someday.

Edit: thought of a few more:

I too classify myself as a selfish skyway-lover.

I went to high school in a suburb.

My geographic knowledge of Saint Paul is abysmal. I know my way around the city better below ground than I do above ground.

I have absolutely convinced friends to give me a ride less than two miles (on multiple occasions).

[MplsSteve]

I've thrown away a few empty peanut butter jars rather than wash out and recycle - although I always feel extremely guilty about it.

Reading this thread has actually made me like some of you people a little more.

[phop]

As a pedestrian, I prefer porkchop islands + the inevitable free rights at large intersections.

[Silophant]

I think The Marshall looks just fine. It's not great architecture, and the site should have been used for several separate projects instead of a superblock, but it's not vomit-inducingly ugly like everyone in the thread is saying, IMO(o).

[at40man]

A few of my confessions... and excuses....

• I like St Paul way more than Minneapolis.
• I live in neither St Paul nor Minneapolis (N. St Paul is closer to work, affordable, walkable, historic, and charming).
• I drive 5 miles to work instead of biking (in my defense, there isn't a safe way to get there on my bike without going hella out of the way and crossing through a dozen busy intersections).
• Speaking of driving, I love my AWD Acura TL. (But if the old Hazel Park-Mahtomedi streetcar line still ran behind my house, the car would be in the garage most of the time)

[go4guy]

I am a huge fan of public transportation, but rarely use it and am excited to turn in my Jeep Grand Cherokee for a new Dodge Ram. (Hey, slightly better gas mileage!!)

[Nick]

When traveling, I usually like to say I'm from Minnesota, rather than Minneapolis, because Minnesota makes me feel outdoorsy and people don't know where Minneapolis is.

[mamundsen]

When traveling, I usually like to say I'm from Minnesota, rather than Minneapolis, because Minnesota makes me feel outdoorsy and people don't know where Minneapolis is.

Haha. Funny I say I am from Minneapolis, when I really live in St Paul.

[grant1simons2]

I feel stupid about 80% of the time on here because I don't have as much experience since I'm young enough to be one of your kids

[IllogicalJake]

I feel stupid about 80% of the time on here because I don't have as much experience since I'm young enough to be one of your kids

Don't worry about feeling stupid - we've all been there. I got started focusing on these things when I was younger (only 24 now,) and it's great to see more doing so. And really, don't be afraid to ask questions if you do find yourself feeling stupid.

[hoffm83n]

I have a sociology/political science degree and would eventually like to go to grad school for urban design. What are some essential readings I should look for? I've picked up Jane Jacobs, walkable city and high cost of free parking so far.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[mplsjaromir]

http://www.amazon.com/Crabgrass-Frontie ... 0195049837

[Anondson]

Traffic: by Tom Vanderbilt

I read it when it first came out. It changed my thinking about roads.

[PhilmerPhil]

I feel guilty every time I drive over those pneumatic tubes that count vehicles. I hate that I am contributing to the traffic engineers' justifications for status quo transportation decisions.

[Nick]

Today, I was ~30 minutes late to the Metropolitan Council Transportation Policy workshop at the downtown library. Because I was...updating my driver's license information at the Government Center. I also prioritized cars over transit.

[blobs]

Reading this thread has actually made me like some of you people a little more.

[Realstreets]

I feel guilty every time I drive over those pneumatic tubes that count vehicles. I hate that I am contributing to the traffic engineers' justifications for status quo transportation decisions.

Ha! Me too.

[Realstreets]

I have a sociology/political science degree and would eventually like to go to grad school for urban design. What are some essential readings I should look for? I've picked up Jane Jacobs, walkable city and high cost of free parking so far.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

After you read JJ, definitely read this http://places.designobserver.com/featur ... ing/25188/ Hmm, maybe I'm a self-loathing planner?

[FISHMANPET]

Last night I drove by myself to Dinkytown, parked on the street for only a quarter, and got food to go from a chain restaurant.

[Gman12]

Last night I drove by myself to Dinkytown, parked on the street for only a quarter, and got food to go from a chain restaurant.

Was it 5 Guys? I was ravenous and did the same thing a couple weeks ago instead of biking.