Since I am sick of the repetition in the health care diaries, and sicker of FDL's descent into Larry Johnson/Zero Hedge territory, let's see if we can return to one of my pet topics, which is cities.
At this point, one thing is clear: 2010 is going to be the year of the municipal busto. With the stimulus winding down, and pension funds still deep under water, cities are scrambling to raise revenue.
This diary will review a few classic horrible ideas that have remarkable staying power.
Terrible idea 1: The urban freeway
Along with TI2 (see below), the urban freeway has to be one of the dumbest ideas ever in the history of social geography. They destroy neighborhoods and contribute to sprawl and ruin the air. So what is it about them that keeps planners coming back?
Terrible idea 2: Parking
See my diary here, though I have another one in the works.
Terrible idea 3: The luxury condo tower
This has to be the ur-scam of urban development. Whenever interest rates drop a little, cities are falling all over themselves to permit these things. Like there's no reason to think that a shallow and illiquid market may not be the way forward?
Terrible idea 4: The convention center
Because they are shitty inside and kill local business. (h/t Atrios)
Terrible idea 5: The casino
This combines the cultural grace of a convention center with the social problems of gambling addicts. But they will make money forever, right?