Imagine if everyone in American cities used bags to carry goods instead of hauling everything in their backseats and car trunks. The word “schlepping” is Yiddish for toting and dragging around, and it’s the number one activity of city dwellers who have the luxury of walking, biking, scooting around to destinations. If more people decided to change their behavior and schlep, more businesses could cater to the schleppers! The higher the number of people who carry their things around, the higher the quality of urban environment they enjoy. Oh yeah, it’s great for the enviornment, for our national security (that pesky foreign oil issue), and for health (moving is good for the bod!). How many people schlep in your city? Remember, landscapes mirror culture. Until the culture comes around to carrying bags on the sidewalk as a norm, our cities won’t be the vibrant places they should be. Here’s a video example:

Did you know that landscapes mirror culture? Seems obvious– our cultural values are directly imprinted on the landscape. So what are the typical American values? Well, we drive everywhere, don’t like riding public transit, and don’t walk– so naturally we insist on having a place to park. Take a look at most of our downtowns and urban areas and you’ll see surface parking lots paved everywhere, mirroring our cultural values. It’s sad to think that historic buildings were torn down for these wasteful spaces. This lesson is powerful. Until our values change, our cities can’t hope to. That’s why I’m compelled to teach people how to live in cities, the worth of an the urban landscape, and how to change their behavior in order to change the ground. When more people understand this (and begin to care!) then our heartland cities will have a better chance of growing. Until then, well, enjoy your cheap parking spot!

(contact info on www.geturban.com)

Retire Downtown was published by Andrews McMeel in 2006.  I wrote the book to capture the attention of the 78 million baby boomers who will be retiring in the next few years.  The other books were related to traditional retirement destinations such as best beaches, lowest taxed communities, resorts, etc.  Downtown is a niche market for empty nesters and retrees and it will continue to be an unusual choice for decades.  Here’s a clip from Columbus, Ohio’s 10TV- the CBS affiliate: