Post AxT8dtxzDuxce6j4rY by tbn97@mastodon.sdf.org
 (DIR) More posts by tbn97@mastodon.sdf.org
 (DIR) Post #AxRqlN5bLq9if9jx2G by tbn97@mastodon.sdf.org
       2025-08-23T02:20:01Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       #Suburbia #Sprawl #Melbourne #Pakenham
       
 (DIR) Post #AxRqlOOQVKoAhpYV16 by publius@mastodon.sdf.org
       2025-08-23T03:05:03Z
       
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       @tbn97 I cannot say that I approve of this kind of land use.
       
 (DIR) Post #AxRr8tqTjNyGuksyWW by tbn97@mastodon.sdf.org
       2025-08-23T03:09:18Z
       
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       @publius It's what Melbourne is, for better or worse. Out suburban sprawl is very California. Not nice. It's soulless. Some developments do better, but more in areas that are doing density infill. Much more expensive than out here. Our urban planning seems to be failing, compared to the vision of 20 years ago. But we also have a housing supply crisis, so developers get away with it.
       
 (DIR) Post #AxRuoCXdQLiCdPSQFc by publius@mastodon.sdf.org
       2025-08-23T03:50:28Z
       
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       @tbn97 It's deeply unfortunate in particular because the Melbourne area has an admirable urban rail system, and concentrating on playing to that strength would avoid forcing people into cars, which represent a large expense for both individual owners and the community as a whole.
       
 (DIR) Post #AxRxo06fxL85vnRYbg by tbn97@mastodon.sdf.org
       2025-08-23T04:24:03Z
       
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       @publius indeed. And the new Pakenham station is palatial and well appointed. And the ride much faster after all the level crossing removals. But still everyone drives.   We have a *very* LA culture in the burbs. This area is very "Valley" coded. Inner urban Melbourne is different though. Way more like New York. That's my preferred domain. (I am of course only drawing analogies. Melbourne is of course its own beast...)
       
 (DIR) Post #AxS1Kp8C5EcNJHUq2q by publius@mastodon.sdf.org
       2025-08-23T05:03:36Z
       
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       @tbn97 I certainly enjoyed Batmania when I was there in 2010. There’s another Australian Worldcon bid floating, but for the first time it’s for somewhere other than Melbourne — Brisbane to be specific, in ’28.
       
 (DIR) Post #AxT8dtxzDuxce6j4rY by tbn97@mastodon.sdf.org
       2025-08-23T18:00:09Z
       
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       😍 some lovely artefacts there @publius  …. And I’m glad you enjoyed my home town. Though I’m taken with travel, it is still my favourite place.