What is WEHOs future like?
For much of my life I have considered myself as a “futurist”, one who lives in the present yet knows that the future holds more promise for a better world. That means that the futurist must advance ideas which intrigue others to join in and promote action. As one whose early reading included science fiction and had the wonderful Isaac Asimov as a professor, I know that status quo is a trap for progress.
So, where does that statement lead us, our little progressive WEHO?
Modern cities must either progress or regress. No standing still in the maelstrom of a rapidly changing world. The singular reason I ran around collecting signatures for the cityhood petition in 1982 was for better police response and to have a increased position with LA county supervisor Ed Edelman. I spent a year on his Civilian Advisory Panel but resigned when the other members spent more time discussing Roberts Rules of Order than advising the Supervisor.
In 1960 I was appointed for a one year term as a Selectman in a small Massachusetts town. The town hall form of governing had a long history in New England. It was the basis for our current representative democracy and how our City Council operates. The privilege of a representative government is far from universal in our cluttered world. It requires constant care and examination to function for the good of the people.
Do we have a forward-looking Council which is fully interested in grappling with an uncertain future? My ninety-three years have brought me a fairly broad view of life. Combining that with my “futurist” tendencies I will make some strong suggestions for WEHO’s future.
First of all, the manner in which land is owned and used in cities will be examined and altered to accommodate changing needs of a growing population. Even if the population stops growing the changes will be necessary due to a better design for resources. I see the next iteration of our R-1 and R-2 areas as reverting to row houses, one of the more successful forms of city dwellings the world over, adding at least four units to a block. A complete redesign of those neighborhoods would include making the streets into green spaces, the houses moved closer to widened sidewalks and alleys behind the houses to support any needed vehicles, personal or service. Lawyers, lawmakers and city planners will be put to the test to make required changes.
My unpopular views on traffic appeared in my last piece for WEHOonline. https://wehoonline.com/op-ed-move/ Recalling the early mantra in 1984, “ WEHO, the walking city”, we must maintain as much pedestrian access as possible. A grid city like WEHO is difficult to make as attractive as cities which built roads around natural objects rather than removing them for streets. Boston, for instance, grew prior to any form of transport as an accommodation to foot traffic and is a far more pleasant stroll.
Very soon cities must become much more attractive to all. That means easy movement within, pleasant open spaces , access to important resources, reasonable costs, safety and security and enough Nature to soothe the soul. We could look to Asia, to Hong Kong, to Macao, for some inspirations abut combining vertical and horizontal structures into a workable city.
There are many practical reasons for building a more attractive city. The principal one is use of resources. We are living with old infrastructure, untended in some cases for over a hundred years. In LA County, water lines, gas and electric lines stretch for miles to reach towns, ranches, commercial enterprises and individual homes. The maintenance cost is huge – and the continuation will become too burdensome and costly for the users. Further, the changing climate is adding pressure to find better ways. My idea for row houses in WEHO would shorten supply lines and reduce costs to use and maintain.
The people at city hall, in the permit section for construction would have a stroke reading this. Tempus fugit, guys.
WEHO is but a small part of a larger region, Los Angeles County, the maintenance of which will require a new approach to governing in coming days. City Councils’ will each appoint a person to sit with the appropriate County Supervisor, making a much more democratic county. Many egos will have to undergo a transformation to make this work. In this case, asking for more government to better administrate.
I would add that no one under the age of thirty five years ever be on our City Council.
Well, this is what an amateur “futurist” does: Imagine. Imagine the endless future. The inevitable future draws us into it relentlessly. Without some pre[parathion through imagination – and work – we are just flotsam in the universe, disdainful of out unique ability: Reason.
What would you see in the future for our town? Imaginer….
