So who is going to live in these towns?

[Briareus Delta]

Originally Posted by Ursa major

Of course Ursa is right; he is always right. (But in this case, I hope that I'm not. Right, that is.)

Sorry, Ursa - I knew I'd make that faux-pas one day. It's just that cute teddy bear Avatar. Not that I'm suggesting it's unmanly or anything........ok, I'll stop digging this particular hole now!

[Ursa major]

No worries. (Do you need a ladder to climb out?)

Some of the world's deadliest animals are "cute". (Even sharks are beautiful in their own rather stark way.) But those deadliest of creatures - megalomaniac, greedy developers and their friends in governement and planning departments - have very few redeeming features; the ones they do have do not include: honesty, openness, forward-thinking, or civic-mindedness.

[Wiglaf]

Here no one wants density, so no lofts, and no big box stores in their neighborhood, so no nearby shopping. Here, we also have to drive to the bus stop; I hope you all have convenient mass transit.
However, after an energy shortage with roving blackouts(Gray-outs)and firing our governor midterm, we have strict energy conservation measures in new construction and remodels heading toward zero net emissions. With no visiblity because of a grey haze and doubled gas (petrol) prices, cars are turning to net zero emissions hybrids.

I reckon you all will get true eco-friendly communities when you all can't breathe, afford gas, nor light your homes and businesses. Its working here. Although, if you could fire your MPs midterm over it, the process would probably speed up.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Wiglaf

I reckon you all will get true Eco-friendly communities when you all can't breathe, afford gas, nor light your homes and businesses. Its working here.

Bill Bryson's 'Notes from a Big Country' makes much fun of American's living in their cars, and how on retail parks it is impossible to walk to the next lot, however close it may be. We haven't quite reached that stage - though not far off it!

The point about these so-called 'Eco-towns' in the UK is that they are nothing of the sort. These are 'New Towns' that have been on the planning table for years. There is no doubt that they are needed due to the increasing shortage of housing, but calling them 'Eco-Towns' is just cynical spin by our spinning politicians to attempt to reduce objections to them from the 'Not in my back yard' protesters.

Originally Posted by andrew.v.spencer

We should build dams across the Wash, the Severn, Thames and Forth estuaries. WE NEED MORE LAND. This is just a precursor to the big project... yes throwing dams across the North Sea.

No, No, No... the answer is, of course, to dig down! Huge subterranean cavernous cities powered by geothermal energy, and lit by radioactive crystals. Jet powered Elevators take you to your destination in seconds. Farming of huge edible Fungi. Water naturally filtered through layers of volcanic rock acquiring unique mineral compositions...

[Overread]

Originally Posted by Dave

No, No, No... the answer is, of course, to dig down! Huge subterranean cavernous cities powered by geothermal energy, and lit by radioactive crystals. Jet powered Elevators take you to your destination in seconds. Farming of huge edible Fungi. Water naturally filtered through layers of volcanic rock acquiring unique mineral compositions...

I remember seeing (many years ago) a short TV spot on an underground town in the UK - they were conducting research into it. Considering that we are techtonically stable here we would not need to invest half as much as many other nations in such a venture (Though we would have to have some safty measures).
I mean why not make all offices and highrise buildings into low rise? its not like the workers get a good view or even get to see it - duct down air and use fancy bright lighting and UV lights and there you go!

[TheEndIsNigh]

Originally Posted by Dave

No, No, No... the answer is, of course, to dig down! Huge subterranean cavernous cities powered by geothermal energy, and lit by radioactive crystals. Jet powered Elevators take you to your destination in seconds. Farming of huge edible Fungi. Water naturally filtered through layers of volcanic rock acquiring unique mineral compositions...

So you want to live like ants? - see Caves of Steel - Asimov

Jet powered lifts - powered by what.

Radioactive crystals - er not known to be conducive to long life

Water naturally filtered - where does the waste go. If up I see the need for the filtering. If down it's going to get smelly.

Mushrooms - Yep there's not going to be mushroom.

[dustinzgirl]

You know, the great thing about working from home and writing those stupid marketing research briefs is that I now know exactly what a load of bull marketing scheme sounds like when I hear it.

Instead of wasting money on this crap, we should be focusing on gee, I dunno, INDUSTRIAL WASTE. Better cars for the millions upon millions of poor people who drive old gas guzzlers.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by TheEndIsNigh

Jet powered lifts - powered by what?

Trained Monkeys of course - thousands of them - with ropes and pulleys!

Originally Posted by TheEndIsNigh

Radioactive crystals - er not known to be conducive to long life.

...but very good for the complexion - to make up for the lack of sunlight!!

Originally Posted by TheEndIsNigh

Mushrooms - Yep there's not going to be mushroom.

Mushroom Theory! - keep in the dark and pile with...

Originally Posted by TheEndIsNigh

Water naturally filtered -

You got me there! I admit it, I just read that on my bottle of water!

[TheEndIsNigh]

Originally Posted by Dave

Trained Monkeys of course - thousands of them - with ropes and pulleys!...but very good for the complexion - to make up for the lack of sunlight!!Mushroom Theory! - keep in the dark and pile with...You got me there! I admit it, I just read that on my bottle of water!

Hey I thought I'd cornered the market on the monkeys for my 'elixir of life' research see Book length - Is this a worrying new trend

Find some other poor species to pick on. Hamsters are up for grabs so I'm told.

Mushrooms: Yes I suppose given the problem with the water there will be plenty of it. Enough to stop the fans anyway.