Week 391 was posted by Charanjit Chana on 2025-04-24.
Inspired by a post titled how I'd fix Atlanta (vai kottke.org), here's how I'd propose beginning to fix any city:
- Invest in education
- Re-introduce libraries
- Invest in public transport
- Invest in the arts
- Prioritise affordable housing
- Walkable towns
- Green spaces for all (walking, sitting, playing)
Education
I shouldn't need to say more, but we just aren't investing enough in our children's education. It's only getting worse. Remains a mystery to me why the people we depend on most (teachers, nurses, doctors, the police and firefighters) aren't the top paid in society.
Libraries
We have fewer libraries in the UK (and police stations) than when I was a child, but we're lucky to have more than one nearby that we. can make use of. Not everyone can afford books, or computers and libraries are a fantastic community space.
Public Transport
The London Underground and the bus network might not be perfect, but it's pretty good and reliably enough. It makes long journeys shorter and is surely better for the environment.
The Arts
Every time a politician advocates cutting funding for the arts I am left wondering what they do in their spare time. Surely they aren't listening to music, watching tv or reading books. Without investment in them, and with the constant barrage of AI slop, that might be all we get to 'enjoy' going forward.
Affordable Housing
Owning a house should not be out of reach for anyone that is earning the minimum wage.
Walkable Towns
I love walking and miss the ability to do so when the weather isn't great, but not everyone has the option to take in a walk at their leisure. Really, we should have amenities that are all a walkable distance away from our homes. In truth, we have an abundance of shops that are a walkable distance but urgency combines with laziness means that we often hop in the car but if it was less convenient to do so, not only would I benefit from a bit more movement, the environment benefits form a reduction in pollutants.
Green Spaces
Outdoor activities aren't as rare as they used to be, but a Boris Johnson drive to have our local parks awarded the 'Green Flag Award' hides the fact that they are nothing more than green spaces. It's hit or miss when it comes to other amenities like sports pitches, exercise equipment or playgrounds for kids. Maybe it's all, maybe it's a combination but it can also be none of them.
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