ROTHENBURGER – We worship at the altar of urban growth but it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

Posted on February 4, 2017 in Columns, Rothenburger // 4 Comments

Still lots of room to grow, but how? (kamloops.ca)

AS YOU’RE DRIVING around, do you ever wonder about the massive infrastructure needed to meet the demands of the First World lifestyle to which we’ve become accustomed?

When will we have enough big-box stores, coffee shops and drive-through restaurants? Is there a quota?

I think about it sometimes. So does Bill Bryson.

About Mel Rothenburger (11676 Articles)

ArmchairMayor.ca is a forum about Kamloops and the world. It has more than one million views. Mel Rothenburger is the former Editor of The Daily News in Kamloops, B.C. (retiring in 2012), and past mayor of Kamloops (1999-2005). At ArmchairMayor.ca he is the publisher, editor, news editor, city editor, reporter, webmaster, and just about anything else you can think of. He is grateful for the contributions of several local columnists. This blog doesn't require a subscription but gratefully accepts donations to help defray costs.

4 Comments on ROTHENBURGER – We worship at the altar of urban growth but it isn’t all it’s cracked up to be

R A George // February 6, 2017 at 10:13 PM // Reply

Mel; My god you,ve discovered Bill Bryson,a homespun, down in the dirt philosopher, and extremely funny to boot.I wish I could come back in 100 or even 50 years.The rapidly expanding population world wide is finite.I again quote the author John D McDonald,s statement,” Man,s Dilemma is Unsolvable”, I,m afraid Pierre that your hopes for leadership will probably never materialize.

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Richard Carlson // February 4, 2017 at 9:57 AM // Reply

The old line was that we need economic growth to accommodate a growing population. When our population growth slowed the government increased immigration to spur economic growth. Which is it? Our governments are addicted to economic growth and they don’t know why.
You are right Mel, the meme of economic growth being an absolute necessity has to be questioned. Economic growth has taken on religious proportions. We forget that the economy is a creature of our own making, and that we designed the economic system to serve us, not the other way around. At the core of the solution is understanding consumption.An alien looking at the human population would conclude that we believe the meaning and purpose of life is to buy and consume more stuff. We need a culture shift.

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- Pierre // February 4, 2017 at 2:02 PM // Reply
  
  Do not know why Richard? It is actually relatively simple. It is called investments, stock markets et al. Chances are your retirement and mine and Mel’s depend on it under the current system.
  
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Pierre // February 4, 2017 at 8:40 AM // Reply

I am glad you have seen “a light”…finally!
Too bad it didn’t occur earlier in the previous decade.
Much has been written about growth and some smart opinions to manage it but it is all over their heads presently at the “hall.” A smart person can just take a look at our downtown to…shake head and be sad.
But please keep writing. There is soothing in the hope that some day, in the not too distant future, “leadership” will come our way.

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