Tuesday, February 5, 2013
2
An ideal Austin...in no particular order an ideal Austin has an interconnected network of parks and green space, accessible to all city residents by a maximum 10 minute walk. Waller Creek, Shoal Creek, and Town Lake are part of this network. Parks are utilized, safe gathering spaces for a multiplicity of ages. Urban plazas are similarly activated. An ideal Austin fosters interaction and communication between and amongst diverse cultural and social communities. An ideal Austin provides access to fresh, healthy produce to all its inhabitants. In an ideal Austin people grow much of their own food in their front yards, backyards, patios, community gardens, community farms. An ideal Austin supports local business. An ideal Austin preserves natural places and develops intelligently and sensitively. Residents appreciate and are educated about native plants and animals. An ideal Austin promotes a pedestrian-friendly lifestyle. Walking, biking, public transportation (buses and rail), car-sharing are all feasible and accessible transportation options. Bike lanes are physically separated from car traffic. Energy is green and highly conserved. Wellness of mind and body permeates local culture. Compostable materials are collected city-wide, processed into compost, and redistributed throughout the city for gardening, farming, and landscaping. An ideal Austin is zero-waste. An ideal Austin has clean air and water. An ideal Austin provides ready access to healthcare- in all its variety. An ideal Austin promotes the formation of communities and support networks. In an ideal Austin ideas and knowledge are voiced, shared, challenged in an atmosphere active and constructive. Austinites can make a living. The democratic process works.
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Hi Daniella, I enjoyed the specifics of your ideal Austin. I completely agree re: educated about native plants and animals. Many people are unaware of invasive exotics. Do you think it's a big issue in Austin? I can think of Bastard Cabbage. What are some others?
ReplyDeletehttp://texasinvasives.org/ don't know if you're familiar with this site, it's sort of fun and informative re: invasives
ReplyDeleteI think invasives are a pretty big issue. There sure are a lot of hackberries around! I just think it's a shame when individuals aren't aware of their local environment and all the many living things of which it's composed. The ability to name and recognize species is a valuable skill; beyond memorization, it's indicative (or inevitably leads to) greater awareness of one's specific surroundings.
Invasives are a problem...but even more so, in my opinion, is the lack of awareness or recognition when a local habitat is disturbed or degraded, or even flourishing!