However, many of the older neighborhoods that don’t get the attention of redevelopers (and frankly shouldn’t so that the physical character doesn’t change) have changed demographically in ways that are frequently undesirable. They used to be very walkable. I should know. I live in one that used to be that way, but no more. Due to their Balkanizing into separate ethnic enclaves, combined with drastic cultural behaviors and morals differences, along with a probable sigificant percentage of illegals who are primarily interested in staying under the radar, returning those areas to the types of walkable neighborhoods envisioned is going to be somewhere between slim and none. And slim just left town.

It would appear that the best we can hope for is a mix of the two. Walkable neighborhoods and larger areas where it’s feasible, various forms of public transportation to serve both the new areas and as many of the older areas as possible and the status quo regarding cars in all other areas. What would be the end result of this type of mix? At least a noticable and possibly significant reduction in the number of cars on the road. But will we ever wind up with something that looks like the center of Paris. Probably not. Frankly, I hope not for one very simple reason. We’re not Paris, France. Whatever we wind up with should be something that works for us and also looks like us.

Just my two cents. Whether or not I get any change back is up to you.