By David Latham Santa Monica
Is Santa Monica full? Stuck in traffic the other day, that question came to mind again. The city is about 8 square miles. Subtract all the land needed for roadways, buildings, parks and such, and available resident living space might total about half of that acreage. Presuming each Santa Monican needs at least 1,000 square feet to call their own and have a relatively sane life here, it does, at times, seem that this corner of west coast paradise could be judged full.
More than ever, we seem to be needing — and seeking — more growth. After all, it was to the ending-point and goal of much Route 66 traveling that, just a few decades ago, came throngs of Americans seeking to see and partake of some of that vaunted California Dreaming.
That in-flow of new travelers continues. Humans clearly like life by the water — the sun, sand, waves, and warm wind, back-dropped by the fragrant plants, gardens, and green hills... all the fine things to do and see. But visiting and enjoying is very different from living in a place. Living fosters roots, and roots bring consequences; sometimes with affects upon the environment that were not anticipated.
Essentially a desert environment, life in L.A., including in Santa Monica, is heavily dependent upon transport — in of many of our needed resources (water, of course, perhaps most critically important among these). Supply affects activity, and activity in part defines the quality of our days? Too many people needing from not enough resource makes for a problem.
I think I’ll park the beast, get on my bike and attend the L.U.C.E (Land Use & Circulation Elements) Transportation Workshop on Saturday (Oct. 6), and think some more about this.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 6, 2007. Read the original PDF.