alt Hacker News> One of the biggest problems with North American cities is their endless, car-centric suburban sprawl.
Most people consider that a benefit. It's just as livable as anywhere else. Just different.
Replies
account42 • today at 9:22 AM
Yeah it's strange how some people think that squeezing people like sardines without any space for personal gardens is supposed to be a good thing. Density in European cities is mostly a historical artifact and something objectively chosen.
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prmoustache • today at 11:34 AM
If you like living and spending all your day in your car yes.
> It's just as livable as anywhere else
People are totally entitled to like what they like, and that's OK. Everyone has something that works for them, and this world has a great variety of options available but the "car-centric suburban sprawl" is linked to various negative mental and physical health consequences. Negative health consequences, IMO, isn't "just as livable".
As a simple example, when people walk more during commuting instead of drive, they tend to be healthier. There are other more nuance (but studied) impacts, such as increased car accidents, mental impacts from increased isolation, etc. In America, there is even a correlation between how car-centric a community is and how often individuals are willing to seek out healthcare (even when accounting for access and affordability).