Waterloo, Ontario Sprawl and its Effects

This humorous video is an interview of a construction sign about the urban sprawl that is occurring in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and consequently destroying the surrounding natural environment and harming the chances of some animals to survive.

-Oliver

Without a Car

I'm a Georgia Tech first semester freshman. For this very reason I cannot legally own a permit to park anywhere on campus. This is quite different for me—before coming here I drove my car several times every day. Even to and from my high school, which was only a couple of miles away. Thankfully the part of Atlanta in which Georgia Tech resides (Midtown) is much less sprawling than where my house in Birmingham is. Also, several mass transit systems are available, on and off campus. The Stinger buses, Tech Trolleys, and Stingerettes are all available for students to use on and around campus. There are free shuttles to Atlantic Station on the weekends. Also, the MARTA system of trains and buses is a relatively cheap alternative to a car. The Tech Trolley's route even stops at the Midtown MARTA station, eliminating the need of walking or using a car to get there. There are disadvantages to these systems such as having to wait potentially long times for the buses and trains to arrive—but they generally get me to where I need to be on time.

-Oliver

Hammer Forum on Sprawl in Los Angeles

This interesting video is a Hammer Forum on how to reduce sprawl and congestion in Los Angeles, California. Like Atlanta, Los Angeles is one of the most sprawling cities in the United States. Hammer Forums, as their site says, are "timely, thought-provoking events" that address current social and political issues. They are held by the Hammer Museum (http://hammer.ucla.edu/) at UCLA.

-Oliver

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

I visited Gatlinburg, Tennessee a few weeks ago to present research at the Mid-Southeast ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) conference. The trip was the first time I had been to Gatlinburg since I was much younger. To get there from Atlanta, all one has to do is drive north on I-85 out of Atlanta and continue going straight for three or four hours. The stretch of road will change into a few differently named interstates and highways along the way, but one will eventually enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive through the park is scenic to say the least. When one finally exits the park, he will be in Gatlinburg. Because the town is in such close proximity to the park, it is mostly a resort town and major tourist attraction for its old fashioned and charming feel. It is mostly filled with tourists around Christmas time, which is when it occasionally snows in the area. Unfortunately, this mass of tourists causes almost unbearable traffic on the small roads and influence the rise of "tacky" tourist attractions in the town. It is known for its sometimes dangerous encounters with bears in the middle of town. But overall, the visit was an enjoyable one and I would go again—if only to drive through the Smokies.

-Oliver

Sprawl in Atlanta

Atlanta is generally thought of as a suitable place to live. However, it is ranked as one of the most, if not the most, sprawling city in the United States. This has negative influences on several aspects, most notably traffic and the environment. The daily commute to work for most people from the suburbs not only wastes time but gas as well, further polluting the already suffering atmosphere. MARTA, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, exists as a cheaper and more eco-friendly alternative to driving a car—it replaces them with trains and buses. However, MARTA is one of the only mass transit systems that still does not receive funding from the state.

-Oliver

Piedmont Park

Beautiful Piedmont Park is the largest park (200 acres) in the city of Atlanta. The park is located next to Midtown—a walk's distance from Georgia Tech's campus. As a result of being so close to Midtown, the views in the park are an interesting contrast of nature and skyscrapers in the distance. As Ben reminded us in his last post, we should all get off of campus more. Piedmont Park is a great place to do so and offers many fun and relaxing activities. The green space can be used for walking and playing sports. The two playgrounds are excellent if adults with kids visit the park. The lake (Lake Clara Meer) is useful for fishing. The swimming pool and bathhouse are commonly used in the summer. In addition, several festivals are held there annually such as the Atlanta Dogwood Festival and Screen on the Green. Therefore, this 200 acre park is useful for many activities, including walking, picnicking, swimming, fishing, and playing.

-Oliver