Ron Davis is running for the Seattle City Council in District 4 on a progressive, stridently urbanist platform and he shared his positions on transportation, housing, and other issues at The Urbanist’s lunch and learn event this Thursday.
Here's an excerpt from the transcript:
And so, as we think about how to get people around the city, we do have to start to think more smartly about it. In terms of, how we do that, obviously, there are a million layers to this, so maybe we can pick them apart. But I think about our neighborhoods first. So before we think about moving from neighborhood to neighborhood, we should also think about satisfying people’s needs in their own neighborhoods. So you often hear this term, 15-minute city, and some jurisdictions use different terms.
I’m particularly impressed by Barcelona. Its goal is to get 85% of trips to stay in their neighborhood within the next five years. Now, Barcelona is denser than us, and has been doing mixed use for a long time. So I don’t think we can hope for solutions that are that ambitious to happen here that fast. But I do think, intentionally legalizing retail in neighborhoods without having to build parking is a start. And doing so in a way that strategically makes sure that the vast majority of trips can be satisfied on foot, or maybe on a bike, by people of all abilities, is the first thing, right, we will reduce car trips, right? Most people don’t like driving. While I do prefer riding on the train and listening to, you know, a book on tape or a podcast, I also really prefer walking just around the corner to satisfy my needs.
I've been working and managing remotely for 10 years. In fact, I wrote a book about it. Working remotely is not for everyone, but the pandemic showed that many more people in the world can work remotely than currently do, preferably as a part of self-sufficient communities.
I dream that the future of government is to help individuals transition to small, sustainable communities. It's difficult for people to purposefully say goodbye to some luxuries that exist, but it's the only way we can survive on this planet.
When I moved to Europe, I left all my friends behind. It was incredibly difficult to make new friends. Now, I've got a weekly boardgame night where folks drop in. It's the most important part of my week.
So do your best to find like minded individuals (in real life!) and do it together. Together we go far.