Friday, July 10, 2009

Modern Development & Progress

Walking around the historic part of Southlands, St. John's (goes back around 10 years, pretty sure it was before Windows XP came out), and into the new phase development, you notice what is typical of new home constructions and neighbourhoods. The homes are pretty roomy these days and packed densely.
Perhaps the sense of community is very high, because homes are so close that you can pass the potatos to your neighbour from one dining room window to another.

Another thing you will have noticed, and this has been going on for, well only the Big Guy or Gal knows, is that virtually every living growing thing has been obliterated from sight. It was pulled, hauled, scraped or burnt to make way for modern living and to get rid of any sign of a natural evergreen, that though free - through its natural growth, is not considered valuable. The replacement trees will come from a commercial establishment. Now, that's progress!

It appears development plans don't call for natural evergreens to be on lawns. It's certainly possible to leave them alone, and save the homebuyer some time, energy and coin. But then again, what kind of message would that send to people? "Not supporting the economy!"; "Can't afford farmed trees?" Well the message it sends to business is "Tree sales are going to grow! People have decided to start over." That's the way developers want it to be - rootless.

Oh yeah, getting back to the near conjoined houses. What gives with the property sizes? Many lots are so small, that if you wanted to play mini-golf, you'd be trespassing. How about snow in that short stint of winter! How many stories are people supposed to pile it before the inevitable avalanche buries the neighbour's and your driveways? But it's silly to mock progress. In fact, progress can be funny. Read the sign on this tree. Crack you up wouldn't it!

5 comments:

Van said...

Wow I never thought I would see this back home, it looks like they are building here where I live here in Toronto, where some homes are so close one can develop a phobia. It is sad when natures gifts are beaten, brusied and sometimes not replaced. Makes one realize everyone is into it for money, and who pays? the home owner.
The sign on the tree was funny, We are so abundant here, we are in over growth, houses are being built to fast,unsafe, slapped together, we have no room to breath, the evnviroment is being sucked away. Our government SUCKS.
I am not a predjudice person, but I am a minority in my beloved mother country.
Ty for sharing.

Charlie said...

The closeness is also dangerous in terms of fire - so easy for it to spread to the adjacent home. Thanks for your comment Van.

C'ptnJack said...

I guess like alot of things these days Charl...greed unfortunately wins out!!
Contractors,developers,realators alike just can't make it fast enough $$$.
Hmmmmm...
Maybe the key to the survival of rural NL....reverse resettlement to "Hibbs Hole" to attain your little piece of heaven,get your house with a view...with room to grow!
C'ptn Jack.

C'ptnJack said...

I guess like alot of things these days Charl...greed unfortunately wins out!!
Contractors,developers,realators alike just can't make it fast enough $$$.
Hmmmmm...
Maybe the key to the survival of rural NL....reverse resettlement to "Hibbs Hole" to attain your little piece of heaven,get your house with a view...with room to grow!
C'ptn Jack.

Charlie said...

Unless there was a good reason to reverse resettlement, very few places will see that happen. Like all places rural has pros and cons. The good thing about many rural areas are that yes you do have space to breathe, and yes, in some ways it is a piece of heaven, and many more, and in some ways there are negatives. There are benefits to urban areas obviously too, but unfortunately new plot sizes is not one of them.