This is an astounding visualization of how much space various retail or fast food chains take up in the world. While there is the argument of reducing the amount of space takes up, I have to admit that being accustomed to living in Canada, I really appreciate and like my personal space. Make sure you check out the full-sized image.
I ran across this after Smashing Magazine ran their Monday inspiration on visualizations. I just happened to notice something about retail space. Having worked in a number of retailers before, I can understand both the importance of having that space for your customers to shop and the appeal of large “big box” stores. I cannot and do not appreciate the amount of work required to keep the retail space relatively “clean” for customers — but more importantly I don’t appreciate the fact that valuable farmland around the large urban centers are gradually being developed into large parking lots and retail spaces. Every time I am driving with my family into the Greater Toronto Area, I continue to see some of the most fertile of land — perfect for growing food — being converted for commercial usage. I’m pretty sure that this is occurring elsewhere in the world as well as population growth increases and people disperse across an area.
From my perspective, that is a huge mistake. Commercial buildings should go on land that is not viable for farming because if we let the farmland be taken over by retail space, that is one piece of land that will lose its natural affinity for growing crops, even if we tear down the buildings and attempt to revive the soil. Of course … technology may change that.
My concern is that we continue to buy homes — houses and condos — built on fertile farmland and many don’t realize it. With regards to retailers, they are going where we as citizens and consumers are going and the only way to discourage them is to change our behaviour. Not surprisingly, Walmart takes up the most amount of land. Where else on earth can you find nearly everything you need or want in one store? Department stores? Pretty close. It is pretty scary when Walmart can take up that much good land.
The question is — how much of that land use to be farmland and if we convert the numbers to food units — how many people would we be able to feed?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I cannot totally agree with you. At least on your point that it is a shame that valuable farmland around urban centers is gradually being turned into parking lots and retail spaces. Imagine if you lived somewhere in the city without a place to park your car. Or when you’re doing some shopping at a mall you couldn’t find a place to park. Just as much we appreciate new condos being built, we should like – or at least get to used to – large parking lots. If you live in the city you should know that Toronto parking permits are not being given away very easily…
You make a good point that large parking lots are important and I agree with you to some extent. However I wouldn’t say that we should get used to large parking lots and condo buildings built on farmland that may not seem valuable now, but potentially in the future things may change and the food supply is vital to cities. We can’t honestly expect to import all of our food.
I would like to pose a question to you. Where should we draw the line? What can we define as a vital piece of farmland that shouldn’t be developed upon, and what is okay to be developed?
I live in the city, and yes I drive a car on weekends so I completely understand the frustrations for drivers, but I am seeing the need for rethinking how we do things starting with more effective urban planning. There is always public transit but until we really push forward a new vision of public transit, we will continue to advance the needs of the car. It is not going to be easy…
Hello Ehren,
You posed a question which is impossible to answer. At least I cannot give you a defensable answer. Questions beginning with ‘Where should we draw the line…’ are not easy to answer.
I guess, this is a problem where we should avoid genaralization. Yes, I shouldn’t have generalized in my previous comment either. Because each and every case should be dealt with separately.
You make a good point that the food supply is vital to cities, and I don’t want to question it. All I am saying is that we should find the balance between these two priorities.
I agree with you that generalization can cause difficulties but I think in the long-term, we will have to (gradually or not) shift away from the priority of the car if we are to build a sustainable city.