[m0llusk]

How we design cities is indeed important. As such it is important to focus on design performance and to get the history right when that is used for reference.

Car and tire companies did not plot to shut down the streetcars. Streetcars were disliked by their patrons and wore out. In many ways the failure to rebuilt the streetcar system when it reached end of life is similar to the problems with our bridges deteriorating faster than they can be rebuilt. All transportation systems need to be embraced by customers and to be efficient enough to be rebuilt as necessary.

It is important to understand that what happened with streetcars does not change any of the basic points made in this piece.