Barcelona-style “superblocks” could make cities greener and less car-centric

Re:Barcelona-style “superblocks” could make cities greener a... by Atsuii on Thursday October 20, 2022 @06:52PM (#33281885)

Given the state of rent prices globally in western countries I really have to question if the increases you're seeing are attributed to 'superblocks' or just general inflation. If the rent is increasing due to 'superblocks' it's going to be because people prefer living within them rather than traditional blocks, hence they can command more rent, not because there is suddenly spare change that was once spent on a car.

Also I don't think pollution is specific to this type of construction. Any type of full scale construction in urban environments causes terrible pollution and pest issues for the adjacent blocks.

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Re:Barcelona-style “superblocks” could make cities greener a... by judge2020 on Thursday October 20, 2022 @07:09PM (#33282018)

I never said anything about current rents, just that superblocks and general walkability are in extremely high demand, so rents will reflect that.

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Re:Barcelona-style “superblocks” could make cities greener a... by robswc on Thursday October 20, 2022 @09:37PM (#33283224)

Why can't it be both? By moving there, you're effectively signaling you don't have a car. Those without cars (all else being equal, not sure why it wouldn't be) will have extra money. If the place is desirable, what is to stop those with that new "extra money" from using that to outbid those with less money?

I don't at all doubt its also inflation at play. It seems perfectly reasonable tho that a place that generally has car-less renters would have higher prices as those without cars could afford that added price. To an extent of course.

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Re:Barcelona-style “superblocks” could make cities greener a... by idlehand on Friday October 21, 2022 @01:58AM (#33284973)

So the problem is really that regulations have constrained the supply of housing to the point that rents are set as high as people can afford, rather than at the price of replacement.

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Re:Barcelona-style “superblocks” could make cities greener a... by sokoloff on Friday October 21, 2022 @06:30AM (#33286516)

Rents in places where demand exceeds supply are like that (and probably always will be).

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Re:Barcelona-style “superblocks” could make cities greener a... by robswc on Friday October 21, 2022 @10:23AM (#33288273)

Well, how much more could realistically be built? I agree, not a fan of housing supply being kept artificially low... but as they say "someone has to have the beach houses."

If there's only 100 units in a car-less block and 500 ppl that want them, what could be done if you've reached the limit of what can be built?

I guess you could go up, making sky scrapers... but now I have to admit I'm out of my element. Not sure if that's viable.

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