- Capitalism and Alternatives -

Sustainable economics of Cities

Liverpool is probably the most important example in the West of how unsustainable current 'classical' patterns of economic development are.
Once one of the most imporant Commercial Cities in the world it has now been totally bypassed by the Global Market leading to chronic failures due to its lack of a local economic infrastructure. From the fact that there are no locally based banks to councillors wishing to revisit the 50s and 60s by putting all their hopes (and our Objective One money) on Inward Investment by outside firms exacerbating our present problems and another devastating economic meltdown in the next recession. They are repeating the actions of the previous administrations with the same result as the 1970s.
Planning Laws also compound the economic difficulties of our Urban areas insisting on low densities activities zoned into different uses etc wich makes it so much easier for Multi Nationals to access an area and leach out any income without having a substantial presence other than the outlet. It is also leading to environmental devastation with hugeley land greedy land use practices being imposed within urban areas
which leads to further erosion of the green belt and depenance on resources from further afield than would otherwise be the case if local economic initiatives where given their chance to fulfill their potential. Streets have just become connectors of different zones not places of economic and social activity with the attendent pollution caused by short car journeys(which incidentally makes up most of the pollution problems caused by cars, journeys that would be entireley unnecessary if our Towns and Cities Where allowefd to return to a more traditional layout and function. The lessons are there to be learnt by examining Liverpool, of the dangers of getting too embroiled in the Global Market. My hope is that Liverpool, being so totaqlly deserted by the multi Nationals etc will be able to develop a sustainable economy quicker than other Cities due to the fact that not so many jobs are connected with and dependant on outside factors. The misery of the last 20 years could now be turned to our advantage if we ignore the clamouring of the Political and intelectual pygmies that our only seeking to serve themselves and not the city and its people. Please reply.

Follow Ups:

• Encouraging Samuel Day Fassbinder Citizens for Mustard Greens USA December 23 1997 (1)
  • Two recommendations... The Everett Citizen IWW OBU December 23 1997 (0)