New Haven Register, May 22, 2012, Chris Schweitzer
Essential Question: Which problem is more important: unemployment (Americans out of work) or climate change (global warming)?
Commentary: Cui bono is a Latin expression that rougly means "who benefits?". This article asks cui bonoabout the Downtown Crossing project, which has received overwhelming support from powerful entities in New Haven, including Yale. In the short term, the Downtown Crossing project makes sense because it will generate jobs and decrease the high unemployment rate in New Haven. But who will get these jobs? And what long-term negative effects could result from the project? According to the author of the article and environmental activist, Chris Schweitzer, the major cons are that residents in surrounding suburbs, not New Haveners, will be the primary beneficiaries of the project and that the emphasis on parking and driving--an enormous parking garage is part of the project--will only result in greater emissions of greenhouse gases. Schweitzer mentions the impact it will have on our children: "It would have been good to have someone represent the future generations who will have to face a much warmer climate." Schweitzer also calls into question whether the project corrects injustices, like the wealth gap, or just reinforces power structures: "A holistic perspective was missing among those who spoke. Communities thrive when development respects human needs, the environment, public health and helps address systemic injustices." I'm not sure how I feel yet about this project. In the short-term, I think that the biotech laboratories planned to be built will bring industry and vibrancy to a part of town that needs it. In the long-term, however, I think the project will add to our city's carbon footprint and makes us dependent on gas-fueled vehicles. Perhaps the money being allocated for this project could go to other projects. Please join the discussion in the discussion board of this Wiki page. The questions is: How else could this money be used? What projects would benefit the community as a whole and be both a short-term and long-term positive? New Haveners living on the Hill or by Edgewood Park or on Dixwell Ave. may not benefit from having scientists commuted into the city from the suburbs to work. New Haveners may not benefit when those scientists bring their paychecks out of the city when they return home from work. New Haveners may not benefit from yet another enormous parking garage when the bus system, biking lanes, and sidewalks are in bad shape. What if I don't want to have a car in New Haven? What can we do with public money to make city living an advantage, not a burden? Yes, we want New Haven to be a tourist destination and a hub of industry, medicine, and education. But it can't just be a place for visitors. It must also be a place for life-long residents. I'm not sure that this project is a step in the right direction.
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May Articles
New Haven Should Take Second Look at Downtown Crossing
New Haven Register, May 22, 2012, Chris SchweitzerEssential Question: Which problem is more important: unemployment (Americans out of work) or climate change (global warming)?
Commentary: Cui bono is a Latin expression that rougly means "who benefits?". This article asks cui bonoabout the Downtown Crossing project, which has received overwhelming support from powerful entities in New Haven, including Yale. In the short term, the Downtown Crossing project makes sense because it will generate jobs and decrease the high unemployment rate in New Haven. But who will get these jobs? And what long-term negative effects could result from the project? According to the author of the article and environmental activist, Chris Schweitzer, the major cons are that residents in surrounding suburbs, not New Haveners, will be the primary beneficiaries of the project and that the emphasis on parking and driving--an enormous parking garage is part of the project--will only result in greater emissions of greenhouse gases. Schweitzer mentions the impact it will have on our children: "It would have been good to have someone represent the future generations who will have to face a much warmer climate." Schweitzer also calls into question whether the project corrects injustices, like the wealth gap, or just reinforces power structures: "A holistic perspective was missing among those who spoke. Communities thrive when development respects human needs, the environment, public health and helps address systemic injustices." I'm not sure how I feel yet about this project. In the short-term, I think that the biotech laboratories planned to be built will bring industry and vibrancy to a part of town that needs it. In the long-term, however, I think the project will add to our city's carbon footprint and makes us dependent on gas-fueled vehicles. Perhaps the money being allocated for this project could go to other projects. Please join the discussion in the discussion board of this Wiki page. The questions is: How else could this money be used? What projects would benefit the community as a whole and be both a short-term and long-term positive? New Haveners living on the Hill or by Edgewood Park or on Dixwell Ave. may not benefit from having scientists commuted into the city from the suburbs to work. New Haveners may not benefit when those scientists bring their paychecks out of the city when they return home from work. New Haveners may not benefit from yet another enormous parking garage when the bus system, biking lanes, and sidewalks are in bad shape. What if I don't want to have a car in New Haven? What can we do with public money to make city living an advantage, not a burden? Yes, we want New Haven to be a tourist destination and a hub of industry, medicine, and education. But it can't just be a place for visitors. It must also be a place for life-long residents. I'm not sure that this project is a step in the right direction.
June Articles