Suburbia, the next slum? (Chicago: how much, home, neighborhoods)

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

You left out red lining and cheap FHA and VA loans... Suburbia was a government-funded project.

Yes, very good example of "etc." You simply couldn't get loans for property in most urban areas from the 1960s to maybe as late as the early 1980s, whereas lending in suburban areas was considered "safe" and highly accessible. Not that there was much middle/upper middle class demand for urban property during that time period mind you, but that was a factor. Plus, zoning laws allowed suburbs to exclude or limit renters, which was another big plus in their favor.

Those who think suburbia was a natural thing are not wholly correct. And just as it was policy to encourage surburbia, it could also be policy to discourage further suburban expansion.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by BRU67

Not saying it was irrational or racist, it was just subsidized by government policy. We can only hope, for the sake of our environment, that these policies are reversed and urban living is encouraged.

We can assume that to an extent government policy was following the will of the people. Some people like to live in tight groups and others like to spread out; both types should be accomodated.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

We can assume that to an extent government policy was following the will of the people. Some people like to live in tight groups and others like to spread out; both types should be accomodated.

I think that government policy of today accomodates these choices to a degree. I would like to see more investment in urban infrastructure and schools to make the city a more realistic option for the middle class, however.

[Avengerfire]

More money for schools is not going to make public schools in Chicago better.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

More money for schools is not going to make public schools in Chicago better.

It's got to be more than just dumping money into these schools, I agree with that. There has to be a fundamental reform of education. What form that should take obviously has to be explored and examined. Where there's a will, there's a way.

[kindrakindra]

Dumping money at schools overall is not the answer. However, take a look at Coonley in North Center. With a grant of a few hundred thousand and a newfangled gifted program, there are 150 kids on the preschool waitlist. That school is going to be fantastic in a couple of years. There, a little money given to a school in an awesome 'hood will make the school better.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by BRU67

There has to be a fundamental reform of education. What form that should take obviously has to be explored and examined. Where there's a will, there's a way.

It would be quite simple really to solve Chicago's biggest school problems. Restore disipline and the authority of the teachers over the students and throw out those students who are disruptive or don't want to learn.

The fate of the losers thrown out of school is not the business of the schools. Once order is restored and the good kids are taught would be the time for the schools to move on to other problems.

But as you say it takes the will. And I don't see the will.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

More money for schools is not going to make public schools in Chicago better.

"Investment" doesn't just have to be cash. CPS actually spends quite a bit per student right now compared to many other districts in the state. I wouldn't give the current group of yahoos a dime more, but would consider more funding if fundamental changes were part of the package.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

It would be quite simple really to solve Chicago's biggest school problems. Restore disipline and the authority of the teachers over the students and throw out those students who are disruptive or don't want to learn.

The fate of the losers thrown out of school is not the business of the schools. Once order is restored and the good kids are taught would be the time for the schools to move on to other problems.

But as you say it takes the will. And I don't see the will.

I agree with this wholeheartedly.

In a related matter, there was a story on NPR recently about how many CPS schools are just passing kids because they feel guilty about what will happen to them if they drop out of school... What the hell?

[Avengerfire]

That has been going on for decades.