Columbia vs France

[Chtimi]

It's funny how we been hearing about all these big community and river developments for years and nothing has still happened

It's funny that you speak like us, in France.

Lyon, for example, has often had projects of skycrapers quite advanced and finally, nothing.

The mayor is faulty. Without conviction, no great realizations.

Give me the keys of your city, you'll see ! B)

[mainstreeter]

Indeed this is good to see. If enough residential units open up on Main Street, that will be half the battle (or more) in bringing that street back to life.

Pretty soon that company is going to own half of the properties on Main St. Columbia is very fortunate that this guy found Columbia and choose to invest so heavily in it.

Where would Main St be without the residential construction the Capitol Places has done? Why isn't anyone else doing it? I wish more companies were doing it but I guess Columbia is still under the radar from the larger development companies.

[waccamatt]

What that means ? You refer to the gated communities ? There are gated communities in Columbia ?

Unfortunately there are. Most of us on UP do not care for gated communities, they are too elitist. And in your area of France? Are there gated communities, too?

[Chtimi]

Unfortunately there are. Most of us on UP do not care for gated communities, they are too elitist. And in your area of France? Are there gated communities, too?

There are residential zones where live rich and famous people accessible only by one road, often in South of France, like near Saint-Tropez, Var or in Porto-Vecchio, Corsica.

The Heliopolis in Le Cap-d'Agde is reserved to nudists. It's a real city, you can go to the supermarket or party in the buff. Accessible also by one road. Another Heliopolis in the

[waccamatt]

There are residential zones where live rich and famous people accessible only by one road, often in South of France, like near Saint-Tropez, Var or in Porto-Vecchio, Corsica.

The Heliopolis in Le Cap-d'Agde is reserved to nudists. It's a real city, you can go to the supermarket or party in the buff. Accessible also by one road. Another Heliopolis in the

[Chtimi]

These "communities" come in all shapes and sizes and yes, unfortunately, they are common in many areas of the U.S. Most of the population does not live in such developments, though.

You talk like if it possible to create a gated in main street.

On the maps, the center of Columbia seems under-peopled. I see the new buildings, under construction or planned are various and beautiful but I'm worry.

I think that would be good that the projects be concentrate in the center, not too scatter around, in order to make the difference with a high density, why not pedestrianized avenues and a trolley ? B)

What is your opinion about the coherence of the city planning ? By and large it bodes well ?

[waccamatt]

You talk like if it possible to create a gated in main street.

On the maps, the center of Columbia seems under-peopled. I see the new buildings, under construction or planned are various and beautiful but I'm worry.

I think that would be good that the projects be concentrate in the center, not too scatter around, in order to make the difference with a high density, why not pedestrianized avenues and a trolley ? B)

What is your opinion about the coherence of the city planning ? By and large it bodes well ?

We have motorized trolleys now, but the are underutilized. Five Points and The Vista have good pedestrian traffic, but the majority of the population does not live downtown. In the States most people desire large homes and large yards, which resuts isprawling cities in many areas.

[Chtimi]

We have motorized trolleys now, but the are underutilized. Five Points and The Vista have good pedestrian traffic, but the majority of the population does not live downtown. In the States most people desire large homes and large yards, which resuts isprawling cities in many areas.

I spoke about electrical tramways. That would be cool to see them cross the city. In France, all the cities get this equipement, it's very popular. A petition in favor, will be a success.

Columbia needs a true "centrality", not only a cultural cluster.

What you think if one build a mix of standing, student and low cost housings with boutiques.

That happens also in my country, everywhere one resist against the urban sprawling, so, we construct apartments where there are parking lots, and abandoned railways areas or old warehouses (the historical center are protected).

The difference is that the cost is very hight in our city-centers now. There was a law obliging the municipalities to dedicate 20 % of the new housings as social housings (called HLM = moderate rent housings), but the mayors are not disciplined (The France' richest city Neuilly-sur-Seine has only 3 % of hlm !), then the socialist party envisions to oblige these 20 % in each building in order to thwart the spatial segregation...

I can't imagine the center of Columbia become a kind of Beverly Hills with a rodeo drive or the contrary. It's harmful, better is to make the center highly lively and colorful.

[waccamatt]

I spoke about electrical tramways. That would be cool to see them cross the city. In France, all the cities get this equipement, it's very popular. A petition in favor, will be a success.

Columbia needs a true "centrality", not only a cultural cluster.

What you think if one build a mix of standing, student and low cost housings with boutiques.

That happens also in my country, everywhere one resist against the urban sprawling, so, we construct apartments where there are parking lots, and abandoned railways areas or old warehouses (the historical center are protected).

The difference is that the cost is very hight in our city-centers now. There was a law obliging the municipalities to dedicate 20 % of the new housings as social housings (called HLM = moderate rent housings), but the mayors are not disciplined (The France' richest city Neuilly-sur-Seine has only 3 % of hlm !), then the socialist party envisions to oblige these 20 % in each building in order to thwart the spatial segregation...

I can't imagine the center of Columbia become a kind of Beverly Hills with a rodeo drive or the contrary. It's harmful, better is to make the center highly lively and colorful.

Unfortunately, the capitalist culture of the U.S. makes this difficullt, but the city strives to ensure that affordable housing is available. There is a limit to the city's ability to make this happen, though.

[Spartan]

The key difference here is that in the US, there is an issue with privacy and space. We have so much of these things that they often create problems such as these gated communities. The problem with them is not there existance, but that they conflict with living an urban lifestyle. So, locating them in a central area like downtown Columbia is what I woudl consider counterproductive.

All a city has to do is pass an ordinace disallowing these things in the cetner city and it won't be an issue anymore.

Requireing affordable housing is an interesting idea, but it is often set aside just to get the development to happen.

In France, there seems to be less of an issue with renovating structures in old villages and center cities. From my experience there, it is common to go downtown or the center city to go to stores and shop. Sometimes that requires going to a slightly larger town. I have been to the Auchan grocery stores, which appear very 'suburban' (American) to me, but they seem to be the only stores of that nature in the city. Its just a completely different way of life over there

[Chtimi]

Unfortunately, the capitalist culture of the U.S. makes this difficullt, but the city strives to ensure that affordable housing is available. There is a limit to the city's ability to make this happen, though.

Columbia is ok today, but the future is built with dreams and willpower.

When I say "make the difference", I also say 'give to Columbia a symbol', New York has the statue of Liberty. I'm reflecting on something really remarkable for Columbia. There's a time to dare.

What are the tools of urban planing in South Carolina ?

[Spartan]

Same as most places- zoning, subdivision regulations, impact fees, curb cut restrictions, etc.

[Chtimi]

The key difference here is that in the US, there is an issue with privacy and space. We have so much of these things that they often create problems such as these gated communities. The problem with them is not there existance, but that they conflict with living an urban lifestyle. So, locating them in a central area like downtown Columbia is what I woudl consider counterproductive.

All a city has to do is pass an ordinace disallowing these things in the cetner city and it won't be an issue anymore.

Requireing affordable housing is an interesting idea, but it is often set aside just to get the development to happen.

In France, there seems to be less of an issue with renovating structures in old villages and center cities. From my experience there, it is common to go downtown or the center city to go to stores and shop. Sometimes that requires going to a slightly larger town. I have been to the Auchan grocery stores, which appear very 'suburban' (American) to me, but they seem to be the only stores of that nature in the city. Its just a completely different way of life over there

I've studied the shopping centers at the high school (also the special example of the Edmonton mall), we have our 'malls' in the main cities but they have not this name.

Euralille (I've seen the baby under construction, it was gigantic !) with an hypermarket, 120 stores, housings and hotel or Parly - with 200 stores, are huge. Creteil Soleil is defined as a "centre commercial r

[waccamatt]

I've studied the shopping centers at the high school (also the special example of the Edmonton mall), we have our 'malls' in the main cities but they have not this name.

Euralille (I've seen the baby under construction, it was gigantic !) with an hypermarket, 120 stores, housings and hotel or Parly - with 200 stores, are huge. Creteil Soleil is defined as a "centre commercial r

[Chtimi]

Same as most places- zoning, subdivision regulations, impact fees, curb cut restrictions, etc.

No. I think at the ZAC (Zone d'Am

[Chtimi]

Chtimi, isn't it 5 or 6 am in France right now?

Puree ! You're right ! But I don't care

[waccamatt]

Puree ! You're right ! But I don't care

Having a little too much wine there, chtimi? You were falling down drunk in your last post!

[Chtimi]

Another one ! C'est

[Spartan]

No. I think at the ZAC (Zone d'Am

[Chtimi]

I think we are talking about different things. We have plans and zones such as these, but its very different. Each city must have a comprehensive plan to define where growth show be and what should be done about it. There are often neighborhood/district plans too. The comp. plan influences zoning, which can define what and where certain types of development can go.

The 'comprehensive plan' may correspond at our POS (plan d'occupation des sols) (?).

If you're interested, I warn you that the POS will change its name in 2006 and will become the PLU (Plan Local d'Urbanisme) because it transcends the communal limits. It completes the SCOT.

The SDAU (sh

[waccamatt]

The 'comprehensive plan' may correspond at our POS (plan d'occupation des sols) (?).

If you're interested, I warn you that the POS will change its name in 2006 and will become the PLU (Plan Local d'Urbanisme) because it transcends the communal limits. It completes the SCOT.

The SDAU (sh

[Chtimi]

One of the big problems in South Carolina is that it is very difficult for cities to annex additional land in surrounding suburban areas. This results in many government entities trying to create a comprehensive plan. Just in the immediate area we have the City of Columbia, Richland County, Lexington County, Forest Acres, Arcadia Lakes, Blythewood, Pontiac, West Columbia, Cayce, Springdale, Lexington, Irmo and many other towns. It would be much better if the city of Columbia could annex all of the urbanized areas surrounding its core.

Yes I see that on the maps. And the metro Columbia is divided in three counties (Richland, Lexington, I add Calhoun).

You know, we have more of 36 000 municipalities in France (in comparision ~ 6 000 in united Kingdom), because our communes like their independance and annexations are exceptional. I think your government must vote laws to create procedures "cross-limits" which wouldn't obligate any annexation... At least for the time being.

[Spartan]

The comprehensive plan is competent at the municipal or intercity level ? Is Columbia part of any intercity ? The initiative in urbanism is only reserved to the municipalities ? Can the cities participates together at a common project ? The county have a plan too ? Who decides of a peripheral highway ? Columbia can plan its future at the metro level for example ?

Municipalities in SC are required by law to have a comprehensive plan. Counties can if they want to, and most of them do.

Columbia has the Central Midlands Council of Governments (COG) which is a cooperative effort among the goverments in the area to guide growth and planning as a region. It is effective on some levels, but each entity still looks out for its own interests.

The SC Department of Tranportation (SCDOT) makes all decisions on new highways in the state. They must do it with the cooperation of or by request of the cities or counties that would be effected though.

[Chtimi]

Municipalities in SC are required by law to have a comprehensive plan. Counties can if they want to, and most of them do.

Columbia has the Central Midlands Council of Governments (COG) which is a cooperative effort among the goverments in the area to guide growth and planning as a region. It is effective on some levels, but each entity still looks out for its own interests.

The SC Department of Tranportation (SCDOT) makes all decisions on new highways in the state. They must do it with the cooperation of or by request of the cities or counties that would be effected though.

I'll vet. Thank you Spartan.

[waccamatt]

Yes I see that on the maps. And the metro Columbia is divided in three counties (Richland, Lexington, I add Calhoun).

You know, we have more of 36 000 municipalities in France (in comparision ~ 6 000 in united Kingdom), because our communes like their independance and annexations are exceptional. I think your government must vote laws to create procedures "cross-limits" which wouldn't obligate any annexation... At least for the time being.

Actually, metro Columbia includes the 3 counties above and also Kershaw, Fairfield and Saluda Counties. Newberry County is added for the CMSA.