Ideas for Better Cities and Towns

[Hungary Jack]

I don't think we have ever had a thread like this (I did search for one). I think we should discuss some of the things that individuals and governments do to improve their cities and towns. Not so much grandiose projects, but little things implemented on a smaller scale that are capable of big impact.

One of my favorite ideas in Chicago is using rain barrels to harvest runoff from the gazillion rooftops in the city. If we end up staying at my house, this is my next project. I'll set up one or two 60 gallon barrels and hook them to a soaker hose and run it through my garden.

My next project would be to install one in the park next door. The space is about 60' x 25' and thus could handle a lot of water. The park is surrounded on two sides by multi-unit buildings with downspouts near the park property. If I can convince each building owner to let us tap into their downspouts, we will have gallons and gallons water to care for the lawn and trees. It would be pretty cool for all the neighborhood kids to see this.

[Hudler]

Are the roofs of the buildings flat? If they are the tar used on them can put some nastyness in the runoff.

[Hungary Jack]

Are the roofs of the buildings flat? If they are the tar used on them can put some nastyness in the runoff.

They are flat roofs, but are typically bitumen membranes painted and sealed. While I certainly would not drink the runoff, I imagine it's fine for gardens.

[jeffbgoofy]

They have barrels for that with nice planters on them. Saw them at Sam's. Will do it eventually, but not priority...

[heyzeus]

As the number of rainbarrels approaches infinity, the amount of water in the rivers and creeks approaches 0. Why do you hate rivers and creeks, Hungary?

[IMADreamer]

I'm a big fan of tree planting in cities but unfortunately man don't do it. I hate just seeing concrete every where, but a nice tree lined boulevard is very relaxing and pretty. I was in a small town once, forget the name, but in their downtown area where the shops were there was a tree about every 20 feet or so and they were planted on a strip of grass that was maybe 3ft wide and ran all the way down the side of the curb between it and the sidewalk. There were of course periodic pads of concrete for access to the road but the whole area was very nice.

[cards2468]

Strip clubs

[Hungary Jack]

As the number of rainbarrels approaches infinity, the amount of water in the rivers and creeks approaches 0. Why do you hate rivers and creeks, Hungary?

Oh good grief.

Please tell me you are joking, as I think you are.

Austin and Chicago are world's apart in terms of water. Austin's is disappearing. Chicago's needs protecting.

Chicao's sewer system is antiquated and prone to failure. Storms creating excess runoff flood the sewer system, mixing raw sewage and storm water and ejecting it into Lake Michigan like a giant arse hole. The system does not have the capacity to handle it, and the fact that Chicago's sewage treatment system only filters sewage but does not disinfect it only compounds the problem.

Chicago's massive Deep Tunnel project aims to alleviate this by diverting storm runoff into a giant resevoir carved out of Mississippian limestone to the south of the city. I am sure it's a fine idea, but it's big, expensive, and won't be ready until 2029. Here is a funny anecdote from the link:

On October 3, 1986, a heavy thunderstorm drenched the southern portion of the Deep Tunnel area with several inches of rain in a short period of time. While the Deep Tunnel system performed satisfactorily by absorbing excess water, water within the system itself rushed past the north side of Chicago and near the Bahá'í Temple in Wilmette. Geysers of over 65 feet (20 m) were reported in both locations for up to an hour as the water was redistributed more evenly through the system. A 30 ft (9 m) geyser erupted downtown at the corner of Jefferson and Monroe.[3] A system of watertight bulkheads has since been installed to prevent the event from occurring again.

So the rain barrels collect and store runoff. Using it to water plants puts it right back into Lake Michigan after filtering through layers of sand just below the topsoil. One could not devise a more natural system.

Has Austin resorted to filtering its [expletive] yet?

[Hungary Jack]

I'm a big fan of tree planting in cities but unfortunately man don't do it. I hate just seeing concrete every where, but a nice tree lined boulevard is very relaxing and pretty. I was in a small town once, forget the name, but in their downtown area where the shops were there was a tree about every 20 feet or so and they were planted on a strip of grass that was maybe 3ft wide and ran all the way down the side of the curb between it and the sidewalk. There were of course periodic pads of concrete for access to the road but the whole area was very nice.

Trees are hugely important for cities. I have dreamed of starting a non-profit organization that would care for city street trees--mostly trimming (some of the trees around here are real hazards to tall guys like me) and mulching. It would hire urban high school kids for summer jobs and teach them how to care for trees. Of course, I would get all the credit and become a rock star social entrepreneur, but that's beside the point.

Unfortunately, life is expensive and I need to make money, so this dream is on hold for now. Someday I'll do it (if someone doesn't beat me to it).

[KyCardinalFan]

A new downtown hotel being constructed in our city will have the grass roofing. It is supposed to reduce their energy costs, plus reduce the storm water runoff in the downtown area. Our area has much localized storm flooding. I believe it will have some other "green" construction, which will be innovative for Western Ky commercial construction.

I think little energy saving things like the op are a great idea. I've never really thought about local gov't having rain barrels but that is a great idea.

Our gov't takes the leaves and limbs collected weekly and composts it. It's free to residents (with a city utility bill) for their gardens.