March 15, 2008 at 21:39:23

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UnLocke-ing Local Politics

By Phillip Barron, Posted by Phillip Barron (about the submitter)     Page 2 of 2 page(s)

opednews.com     Permalink

Philosopher Joseph Raz says that the only way that governments can authoritatively act to preserve and enhance the freedom of the governed is if government decisions and policies create meaningful choices for citizens.

The choice between leaving Alston Avenue as it is and widening it beyond recognition, beyond the boundaries of safety, is not a meaningful choice. It’s also a false dichotomy.

So, you may still need more help visualizing what a meaningful redesign could look like.

A consulting group called Urban Advantage uses computer generated photo-realistic images to demonstrate how to transform roads like Alston Avenue with real economic development.

While the landscape in the photograph is actually Richmond, Virginia, it might as well be east Durham. The images show a series of design changes a city (or private developer for that matter) can make to enhance the sense of community, bring economic development back to devastated areas, and create safe public environments for pedestrians and cyclists, for children and the elderly.

Will our City Council have the willingness and the guts to promote real change in Durham? Or is a six-lane freeway cutting through a neighborhood the most we can expect from them? And since we elect the Council, is this the most we can expect from ourselves?

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