In the same way we value ourselves, Boston must value itself.
For example, you can say "my time is worth $30/hour" or "my time is worth $300/hour." You might be surprised to find the client saying, "you know, you're right, for that job I'll pay $300/hour. You value yourself highly and it's worth it for me to pay the higher price."
Similarly, Boston has a lot to offer that has little to nothing to do with the mediocrity of its administration and regulators. It has history, great historic buildings, a walkable scale, etc. The city has much more to offer than most American cities.
So, in my view, if the city said to developers, "Screw you, if you want to build Route 128 crap go to Route 128. If you want to build in Boston, you're going to have to invest in architecture and live within the land use provisions of progressive master planning.
My bet is that not only would developers find a way to do better and meet high standards -- developers and property owners would thrive. Property values on neighboring parcels would escalate. And the hacks that currently run the show would be relegated to an industrial park in the suburbs.
Just a dream at this point.
For example, you can say "my time is worth $30/hour" or "my time is worth $300/hour." You might be surprised to find the client saying, "you know, you're right, for that job I'll pay $300/hour. You value yourself highly and it's worth it for me to pay the higher price."
Similarly, Boston has a lot to offer that has little to nothing to do with the mediocrity of its administration and regulators. It has history, great historic buildings, a walkable scale, etc. The city has much more to offer than most American cities.
So, in my view, if the city said to developers, "Screw you, if you want to build Route 128 crap go to Route 128. If you want to build in Boston, you're going to have to invest in architecture and live within the land use provisions of progressive master planning.
My bet is that not only would developers find a way to do better and meet high standards -- developers and property owners would thrive. Property values on neighboring parcels would escalate. And the hacks that currently run the show would be relegated to an industrial park in the suburbs.
Just a dream at this point.
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