Why American Cities Suck (and European Cities are so Charming)
A few weeks ago, I went to Europe for the first time. I had read all about it and was hyped to explore its rich history, diverse cultures, and delicious local foods. When I landed, I found all that and more: complete walkability, efficient public transit, and an abundance of fresh, local produce — things that I never thought could have made me so happy until I went to Europe. I admired the country’s mix of historic architecture and modern accessibility solutions scattered throughout the cities. Life just seemed so much better: everyone seemed merry and healthy.
Part of me wondered: could it just be the vacation halo? Maybe they’re all just tourists here? But when I hit an average of 23,000 steps a day and walked through the local streets without the roar of constantly rushing automobiles, I suddenly understood. I don’t think I’ve ever felt quite so energized and healthy in my life. Europe’s city design encourages an active, yet accessible lifestyle that is environmentally friendly, cheaper, and socially diverse. I became determined to break down what specifically made European cities so much more livable. Here are my results. For the purpose of this article, the term ‘North America’ is primarily used to describe Canada and the United States.
People-first City Design
Europe is designed for residential, with a radial city planning approach. In this article, I will be using Paris, France as an example.
Radial cities are characterized by geometric lots interlocked with concentrically arranged radial streets that connect to the center. This city structure stems from pre-modern times, where cities were built within castle walls to defend against enemies. While most areas have been demolished and urbanized with modern buildings, its history can still be seen in the layout of most European cities: a few large, main streets for driving, with the majority of urban space saved for condensed, walkable lots. The twists and turns of the narrow streets beyond the main roads make it inefficient to drive. Furthermore, with most areas having been constructed or rebuilt before cars became widely available, Europe has few massive above-ground parking lots that are so commonly seen in North America. Combined with a robust and reliable public transportation system, Europe’s city structure makes it hard to justify the daily use of a car.
In contrast, the majority of U.S. cities follow a grid-type city design. Urban grid design is characterized by neat, straight streets, with the goal of maximizing commercial productivity and land efficiency. While it’s satisfying to look at, grid-type cities prioritize vehicular traffic, which can lead to a reliance on cars for transportation. The overwhelming presence of streets throughout the city sacrifices open green spaces to maintain its coordinated design. However, it must be admitted that these factors are not inherent to grid-type city design, but are influenced by implementation choices and policies within a grid-type city. The bigger problem is North America’s strict zoning laws.
Zoning Laws in Europe vs North America
Zoning was first implemented in the late 19th century when cities were becoming extremely dense post-industrial revolution. Its purpose was to isolate factories and other polluting buildings away from residential use. While both Europe and North America use zoning laws to prioritize public health in urban planning, their approaches have evolved in two completely different directions. I will be using the United States and Germany to explore this topic further. Germany’s 1891 Frankfurt Zoning Acts formed the basis of zoning laws in Europe and are widely studied, making its zoning laws an excellent representation of Europe.
This is a zoning map of Berlin, Germany, last updated in 2023. The color scheme goes as follows:
- Low-density residential is light pink
- High-density residential is dark pink
- Mixed-use building is brown
- Commercial/industrial land is gray (excluding retail)
- Green area is green
- Railway land is purple
As cities became more and more dense post-Industrial Revolution, German zoning practices prioritized bulk and density. As a result, they follow a hierarchical zoning system. German urban planning allowed single-multi family dwellings to co-exist freely together, alongside commercial and industrial enterprises. The act only limited commercial and industrial enterprises to certain zones if they posed public health concerns. This design strongly encourages mixed-use development, social diversity, and the development of local businesses.
In contrast, the U.S. focused on land-use control, with an emphasis on social separation through exclusively single-family home zones. This prevailing approach is known as Euclidean zoning, which separates land uses into distinct zones (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial) and restricts mixed-use development. To illustrate further, I will use San Francisco, California as an example.
This is San Francisco’s zoning map, last updated in 2023. The color scheme goes as follows:
- Low-density Residential is light yellow
- High-density Residential is orange
- Neighborhood Commercial is purple
- Downtown is red
- Industrial is blue/gray
- Mixed use in multiple variants is light orange
With just a glance, the viewer can immediately tell that more than 70% of the city is designated as exclusively commercial. This means in many areas, it is illegal to have a corner store, grocery store, or beauty salon near your neighborhood. People at city edges have to commute long distances to shop or go downtown. These strict zoning laws are a major contributor to urban sprawl, greater traffic, and longer commutes. Furthermore, the prioritization of single-family development, or low-density residential zoning, over high-density residential zoning and mixed-use development raises housing prices. While North America’s Euclidean zoning laws seem neat and structured on paper, it creates an expensive and vehicular-reliant city.
Conclusion
My journey through European cities has opened my eyes to the stark differences between them and their North American counterparts. The charm and livability I experienced in Europe can be attributed to their people-first approach, efficient public transportation, and city designs that blend history with modern accessibility.
European cities embrace walkability, with their narrow streets and limited parking, making it inconvenient to rely on cars. This encourages an active and environmentally friendly lifestyle that leaves me feeling energized and healthy. Additionally, their zoning laws prioritize mixed-use development, social diversity, and local businesses, creating vibrant and inclusive communities.
On the other hand, North American cities, particularly those in the United States, often prioritize vehicular traffic and adhere to rigid grid patterns. The strict zoning laws that separate land uses and discourage mixed-use development contribute to urban sprawl, traffic congestion, and longer commutes. This, coupled with an emphasis on single-family home development, drives up housing prices and reinforces car dependency.
It’s clear that North American cities can learn a lot from their European counterparts. By adopting elements such as walkability, efficient public transportation, and mixed-use development, we can create more livable, sustainable, and socially inclusive urban environments. It’s time for policymakers, urban planners, and communities to come together and reimagine our cities with a focus on the well-being of residents, fostering a sense of community, and promoting a greener future. North America can do better. We must strive to transform our cities into vibrant, people-centric places that prioritize quality of life, sustainability, and a strong sense of community.
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxykI30fS54&pp=ygUSd2h5IGkgaGF0ZSBob3VzdG9u