Week 10/14

The main step in transforming a city does not have to do with an actual tool, but in getting any steps to be approved to be taken. After there is some kind of approval from the city, from the people, etc. the steps that are taken and the order in which they are taken is not as important. I decided to apply some of Register's European techniques to Fresno, Ca. The first step I decided would be creating a tram system. This because it would be a major change, letting people know the city is serious and means to create a real shift. The city now is first trying to beautify the city, giving the people an impression that it is merely trying doing a patch-up job. A tram system I figured would work because it doesn't snow in this city so it wouldn't be bothered by the weather, and also it might reduce the amount roads used for cars already. There are also a lot or freeways that may have been in the way of something like a monorail. The second step, which is actually a part of the first, is to have all of the lines intersect in the downtown area. The downtown area as it is has a bad reputation even though it still holds many of the city’s important buildings. The main thing is that the businesses that are there are considered cheap, and only attract a certain type of clientele. Something like a tram system could bring in different types of businesses and thus different types of people. Making it more representative of the actual community. The third step, also a part of the first and second, is to integrate the ABC policy to steer large institutional and commercial activities to public sites. This would help out the success of the tram system by making it more efficient for people to get from one place to another, and also help businesses that are located close to the tramlines. Something like this would reduce sprawl. The fourth tool would be making a single ticket/card good for all modes of transit in the city. The tram and policy would hopefully be passed in two years, the installation would hopefully be completed in three. The fifth step is to put the tram system on dedicated lanes, with traffic control systems giving them green lights at intersections. This would again increase the trams success by getting more people to use it since it would go by quicker. Showing that car priority has decreased. This part of the implementation could be done at the beginning of the tram installation or even a couple years after. Something else (sixth) that could be done while installing, or come later, is including grass and trees along tram lines to reduce noise, to make the city more aesthetically pleasing, and promote walking. The whole of the project could be completed within six to seven years. The next three years would include a few different projects that because a huge one was done first would be more easily accepted and implemented. The seventh tool then is car-free housing and developments. At least getting this idea across and beginning to offer it to see how it is received. These places could also offer a few cars for car-sharing if necessary, or free tram tickets. The eighth tool is utility-cars that could be picked up and dropped off at other sites. I think this would be best done as early as possible since even with the tram cars would be widely used, and cars are so much a part of the existing infrastructure with the amount of freeways increasing yearly. This would offer people who commute a mode of transport as well. Even with these tools cars would still be in use, as they would need to be in order to get between cities, offer public services like fire trucks, police cars, school buses, etc until other cities also caught on. As cars will still be around a system like Woonerf to slow cars (bend in roads, trees, sidewalks and bricks, etc) would be implemented in order to help decrease the cars priority as well as promote safety and a playable community for children. Lastly, but still importantly is the use of artwork, bricks, etc around the city to promote a more walking and biking.

These steps would serve to spread justice equally to all members of the community. Those who ride the bus now seem to be the poor, and as it is it does not pass often enough. Riding the buss is seen more as a thing for people who cannot afford to do otherwise. Entire families would have less of a hassle getting groceries and strollers on and off of a tram, there would be more green to be seen, and a safer playing area for children in front of their own homes. Fresno has really bad air pollution that creates an injustice for all the children with asthma and a tram system would help reduce those affects. A tram would also allow easy access to all parts of town. Unlike Ithaca where the idea of doing the ecologically sustainable thing is done by all classes, people in Fresno see things like riding a bike or taking the bus as a thing done as needed by the poor. It is quite backwards then, and the idea of being more sustainable actually being the more expensive thing has not quite sunk in there. This is probably because they have not advanced so far in their level of sustainability. So while walking, taking the bus, riding a bike, etc may be sustainable it is also what the poorer have to do, and solar power, local food, etc. is also sustainable but not something the poorer can afford to do. As such the wealthier strive to achieve the later as a form of showing off, but not the former as that would do the opposite.