30 replies to this topic

[The Escapists]

Skyybutter, on 23 May 2011 - 08:05 AM, said:

Agrees. As far as cleanliness we are still a clean city compared to other cities our size. We are not, however, as clean as we use to be. We have had so many newcomers from places such as NYC, NJ, Philly to name a few. Many people in these cities are use to dirty neighborhoods and even throwing trash out of the car window. I can't understand this logic, but alas, having lived in Philly I've seen it hundreds of times. Hopefully Charlotte can get it under control before it gets out of hand. Another thing that helps is for newcomers to get involved and feel a sense of ownership to their new home.

Haha. That's a generalization. I think anyone (from anywhere) can be a "litter-bug," it all depends on the jurisdiction to understand the relationship of population/use/services.   Is Uptown trashier in 2011 because more people from NYC, NJ, PA moved there? No. It's because Uptown's use has shifted dramatically from 9-5 bankers, to clubs, pro-sports, restaurants, etc.

I think one of the biggest problem Charlotte has not faced is design vs. maintenance (I started a thread about this a year ago). Grantd, Charlotte has more sidewalks, more planting strips, more tree cover, more medians than most urban cities. But as the region continues to sprawl, and the same streetscape plans are used in outlying areas, it is going to cost more and more to maintain, mow, edge, weed, prune the streets.

[Skyybutter]

The Escapists, on 23 May 2011 - 08:38 AM, said:

Haha. That's a generalization. I think anyone (from anywhere) can be a "litter-bug," it all depends on the jurisdiction to understand the relationship of population/use/services.   Is Uptown trashier in 2011 because more people from NYC, NJ, PA moved there? No. It's because Uptown's use has shifted dramatically from 9-5 bankers, to clubs, pro-sports, restaurants, etc.

I think one of the biggest problem Charlotte has not faced is design vs. maintenance (I started a thread about this a year ago). Grantd, Charlotte has more sidewalks, more planting strips, more tree cover, more medians than most urban cities. But as the region continues to sprawl, and the same streetscape plans are used in outlying areas, it is going to cost more and more to maintain, mow, edge, weed, prune the streets.

I am not suggesting that people from NYC, NJ and Philly are the only litter bugs. I am suggesting that people from these areas are use to being in dirtier cities. Having said that, I am also not suggesting that these cities are worse or better for it. I myself miss some of the grit in Philly, not so much the piles of trash littering the city. http://www.rd.com/tr...ies-in-america/
  
according to one study...out of fifty cities

49th dirtiest city- NYC
48th dirtiest city-Pittsburgh
44th dirtiest city-Philadelphia
43rd dirtiest city-Boston

Edited by Skyybutter, 23 May 2011 - 09:20 AM.

[caterpillar2]

Skyybutter, on 23 May 2011 - 08:05 AM, said:

  Agrees. As far as cleanliness we are still a clean city compared to other cities our size. We are not, however, as clean as we use to be. We have had so many newcomers from places such as NYC, NJ, Philly to name a few. Many people in these cities are use to dirty neighborhoods and even throwing trash out of the car window. I can't understand this logic, but alas, having lived in Philly I've seen it hundreds of times. Hopefully Charlotte can get it under control before it gets out of hand. Another thing that helps is for newcomers to get involved and feel a sense of ownership to their new home.

They need to understand that lawns don't cut themselves and dog crap on the sidewalks doesn't evaporate and go away either.

[dbull75]

My yard may not necessarily win accolades on HGTV or anything, but it's interesting that the people on either side of my house definitely do not do a good job of yard upkeep. One just happens to be from Boston and the other is from Philly. So you won't get any arguments from me in that northerners do not do a good job of house/yard upkeep. Most of the people in my neighborhood that are from Charlotte (or the south in general) do a much better job at maintaining their property.

[Urbanity]

Hey,

I'm from NYC and I'm really starting to resent all this Northerner's don't know how to take care of yards stuff.

BTW  What's a yard?

[kickazzz2000]

Urbanity, on 23 May 2011 - 11:17 AM, said:

Hey,

I'm from NYC and I'm really starting to resent all this Northerner's don't know how to take care of yards stuff.

BTW  What's a yard?

I wonder what percentage of these so called "litterbug northers" come from the actual cities anyways?

I live in Bucks County, PA and let me tell you, its hard as heck keeping up with the Joneses (everyones grass is amazingly green!)

There are anecdotes on both sides of any argument.

In term's of street cleanliness, it better get cleaned out before Summer of 2012.  The world will be watching.

[caterpillar2]

Skyybutter, on 23 May 2011 - 09:13 AM, said:

I am not suggesting that people from NYC, NJ and Philly are the only litter bugs. I am suggesting that people from these areas are use to being in dirtier cities. Having said that, I am also not suggesting that these cities are worse or better for it. I myself miss some of the grit in Philly, not so much the piles of trash littering the city. http://www.rd.com/tr...ies-in-america/
  


according to one study...out of fifty cities

49th dirtiest city- NYC
48th dirtiest city-Pittsburgh
44th dirtiest city-Philadelphia
43rd dirtiest city-Boston

This issue really doesn't have much to do with what part of the U.S. one is from. It mostly has to do with diversity. The more diverse, the more chance there are of cultures existing where emphasis isn't on neatness, cleanliness, and civic pride.  I was recently in Londonderry, N.Ireland and was appaled at seeing people leaving restaruants, ie. McDonalds and throwing the rappers and trash on the sidewalks. The creeks were full of trash. It was discusting. I have neighbors across the street (I won't say where they are from but it is the world's largest democracy) that see nothing wrong with throwing trash on the street on the alley or in their yards. If confronted, they will just throw it on the other side of the house. Fourty years ago, it was just certain neighborhoods that were trashy. Now any area can be trashy depending on the demographic, diversity, etc.  

This has been my experience and being insulting is not part of my intent. Anyone from anywhere can be a slob.  However, it would be nice to see a substantial number of outsiders take more pride in their yards when they move here and keep their dogs from crapping on sidewalks.

Edited by caterpillar2, 13 July 2011 - 11:51 AM.

[The Escapists]

^There is a very interesting documentary about this on Sundance Channel as part of the series Cities on Speed: Cairo Garbage.

Basically, Egypt didn't have a government garbage collection system in place until very recently. They had a lower-class of society (in this case it was Christians), that made their living by collecting peoples garbage from outside their doors and windows (there was no such thing as a dumpster or trash can) and hauling back to "Gargage Districs/Villages" which is where they lived. They would then sort the trash and recover money from raw materials.  As Cairo grew into a modern state, they tried to implement orderly garbage service, but residents would refuse to use trash cans and dumpsters. And this documentary follows the sanitary chief as they do education and outreach to pretty much beg people to use trash cans.    

[bchris02]

Charlotte is just now coming onto the national radar.  Many people in other regions of the country can't tell you which Carolina Charlotte is in.  Its still decades away from being an international city. Charlotte today is like Atlanta was 30 years ago, and Atlanta had a booming economy assist it in getting to where its at today.  Taking into account the current recession/depression, predicting it will last 10-15 years, I say it will be at least 40-50 years before we will see a Charlotte that is entering that "global city" status.

[caterpillar2]

bchris02, on 14 July 2011 - 09:22 PM, said:

Charlotte is just now coming onto the national radar. Many people in other regions of the country can't tell you which Carolina Charlotte is in. Its still decades away from being an international city. Charlotte today is like Atlanta was 30 years ago, and Atlanta had a booming economy assist it in getting to where its at today. Taking into account the current recession/depression, predicting it will last 10-15 years, I say it will be at least 40-50 years before we will see a Charlotte that is entering that "global city" status.

When I am overseas, I make it a point to ask foreigners if they have heard of Charlotte. Most have. As a matter of fact, many of my Austrailian friends are hooked on NASCAR and others in South Africa and Europe do banking business with a Charlotte bank. Many actually go to Charlotte on business trips. Your perception other's perceptions on a worldwide basisof the city is incorrect. It may not be a super large city, but it is more know thatn many that are larger. For example, I have found that there are many overseas citizens that have heard of Pittsburg, Cincinatti, Cleveland, and others but can't tell you anything about them. On the other hand, most can associate Charlotte with banking, travel, NASCAR, and general business experiences. I agree that many Americans don't know which Carolina includes Charlotte. But, that is because Americans are illiterate when it comes to history and geography. Most can't show you where NYC or Chicago is on a unlabeled map.

Edited by caterpillar2, 15 July 2011 - 09:38 AM.

[caterpillar2]

We are wrong by not jumping on light/heavy rail transportation. I am a fiscal conservative,but nevertheless realize that for a growing city has accomodate projected decades of growth .  With toll fees, government assistance (hopefully), a small 5cents per gallon gas tax,  and a minimal sales tax raise of one percent, we will likely be able to pull it off. I isn]t just something that will be nice to have, but it is something that we will need. Charlotte is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S, and will likely be for the next few decades. We must be prepared before there is no land to accomplish this need.

Most cities built their rail services when they were less populated than Mecklenburg County, ie. Boston.  It is time. We may not achieve desired ridership at first, but we have to look to the future.

I know that there is a concern with criminals going out to the far reaching areas and that is a genuine concern. But, the stations in such places as Huntersville and Cornelius are not in locals that are appealing to undesirables.  

We need to tighten our belts in many areas and divert the monies to light/heavy rail.  Besides, a rail line for the "red" line to the north is already in place. That shouldn't even be an issue.