Disasters are opportunities
In light of the gas pipeline explosion and fire in San Bruno this week, it seems that there is a need to look at the design of our gas distribution system. The local anti-LNG crowd is hoping that the disaster prompts a look at new LNG plants and associated pipelines, and I hope it does. But I'd like to see the U.S. give more thought to redesigning our infrastructure, instead of looking at fixing it, as Obama has proposed this week.
Locally, we have had many opportunities arise over the last few years to redesign our streets, transportation grid, zoning and other infrastructure-related policies and systems. My favorite example is the slide near the Astor Street Opry Company playhouse on Bond St. This happened, I think, over 3 years ago, and there is still no two-way traffic on Bond St. near the playhouse. This is after receiving money from some federal agency, and promising, more than a year ago, to fix this problem. But this disaster could have prompted community discussion of building on our steep hillsides, a rezoning of the area, and the possibility of placing pipes and other utilities above ground to avoid further disasters.
We have a very old city and infrastructure. It is constantly being fixed, and constantly breaking. The land here moves, a lot, and it's not going to stop moving anytime soon. It would be better to look at cheap, environmentally reasonable solutions that would involve new designs. The realms of water distribution, wastewater collection and cleaning, electricity distribution, natural gas distribution, roads, and trails could really use a series of design charettes.
The Franklin St. bridge in my neighborhood is a great example of a solution completely out of whack with the needs of the community. The wooden bridge being replaced served the community well for almost 100 years, I think. I find it amazing that such a simple structure has lasted that long. The replacement is overkill, based on current requirements for bridges. It might last another 100 years, but I doubt the neighborhoods it connects will last that long. The need for a new bridge should have prompted a community discussion about why the neighborhood was built the way it was, why the bridge existed in the first place, and what options the community has to continue to connect the two sides of the bridge. Is a bridge needed at all? Could the road come down to 38th? Could the housing in the neighborhood be rearranged to not require a bridge? I'm sure many options would come up that I can't think of.
The examples are many. Let's start thinking, here and nationwide, about the opportunities for redesigning our infrastructure, BEFORE it falls apart and we have to act in an emergency mode.
Locally, we have had many opportunities arise over the last few years to redesign our streets, transportation grid, zoning and other infrastructure-related policies and systems. My favorite example is the slide near the Astor Street Opry Company playhouse on Bond St. This happened, I think, over 3 years ago, and there is still no two-way traffic on Bond St. near the playhouse. This is after receiving money from some federal agency, and promising, more than a year ago, to fix this problem. But this disaster could have prompted community discussion of building on our steep hillsides, a rezoning of the area, and the possibility of placing pipes and other utilities above ground to avoid further disasters.
We have a very old city and infrastructure. It is constantly being fixed, and constantly breaking. The land here moves, a lot, and it's not going to stop moving anytime soon. It would be better to look at cheap, environmentally reasonable solutions that would involve new designs. The realms of water distribution, wastewater collection and cleaning, electricity distribution, natural gas distribution, roads, and trails could really use a series of design charettes.
The Franklin St. bridge in my neighborhood is a great example of a solution completely out of whack with the needs of the community. The wooden bridge being replaced served the community well for almost 100 years, I think. I find it amazing that such a simple structure has lasted that long. The replacement is overkill, based on current requirements for bridges. It might last another 100 years, but I doubt the neighborhoods it connects will last that long. The need for a new bridge should have prompted a community discussion about why the neighborhood was built the way it was, why the bridge existed in the first place, and what options the community has to continue to connect the two sides of the bridge. Is a bridge needed at all? Could the road come down to 38th? Could the housing in the neighborhood be rearranged to not require a bridge? I'm sure many options would come up that I can't think of.
The examples are many. Let's start thinking, here and nationwide, about the opportunities for redesigning our infrastructure, BEFORE it falls apart and we have to act in an emergency mode.
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