Central Machine Works
Vertical Mixed-Use Is Not a Solution
RECEIVED Mon., Feb. 4, 2008
Dear Editor,
Re: “Mixed Use, Mixed Emotions” [News, Feb. 1]: Vertical mixed-use is not a solution for Austin because it is car-centric, thus mired in obsolete design criteria. No matter how you spin it, or try to deny it, global oil production peaked in 2006. The oil left to us needs to be used in building post-oil infrastructure in Austin. By late 2008, the price of a barrel of oil is projected to be between $150 and $200. $100/barrel of oil helped send the U.S. economy into recession (even if no one said so but Michael Klare). Japan is 50% off oil. The U.S. would benefit by following suit as fast as we can, but we have two oil men in the White House while ExxonMobil and Chevron make record profits each quarter.
Who is going to design for post oil? VMU isn't it. With VMU, we spend the last of the affordable oil miring ourselves in the oil age with car dependency. Who benefits from that?
Re: “Mixed Use, Mixed Emotions” [News, Feb. 1]: Vertical mixed-use is not a solution for Austin because it is car-centric, thus mired in obsolete design criteria. No matter how you spin it, or try to deny it, global oil production peaked in 2006. The oil left to us needs to be used in building post-oil infrastructure in Austin. By late 2008, the price of a barrel of oil is projected to be between $150 and $200. $100/barrel of oil helped send the U.S. economy into recession (even if no one said so but Michael Klare). Japan is 50% off oil. The U.S. would benefit by following suit as fast as we can, but we have two oil men in the White House while ExxonMobil and Chevron make record profits each quarter.
Who is going to design for post oil? VMU isn't it. With VMU, we spend the last of the affordable oil miring ourselves in the oil age with car dependency. Who benefits from that?
Tommy Tolson