[lbo-talk] decentralization, Whole Foods style

[Guilherme]

On Fri, 30 May 2003, Wojtek Sokolowski wrote:
> Most of the anti-gentrification, NIMBY campaigns I have witnessed had
> this anti-big city, anti-growth, small town homey feeling in them.
> Perhaps not everyone shared it, but many did.  I think such efforts are
> hopelessly misguided, as they derail urban renewal.
>

	i find that here in the west (albuquerque) the gentrification is
nicely anti-growth -- the expensive, ruinous growth.  albuquerque is
through a series of programs revitalizing its downtown.  this consists of
low cost higher density housing, some 'lofts' for the yuppieish set, and
more downtown businessnes -- including a megaplex movie theater.  i don't
know what the economic incentives are that are being used.  but i think
its fantastic that in car culture town where growth means subsidizing
developers to build more subdivisions on the mesa, people can park and
enjoy a stroll (or if they are lucky enough walk to a location).  its much
better than getting on the freeway to go to the multiplex and then back
onto the freeway to chi-chi's.

-gr