Committee on Design

Perhaps Mr. Hosack can shed some light on this.

Seems I recall reading once that the commute time to work has been the same for centuries. In other words, the time it takes to get to work in ancient Constantinople is about the same as it is today in most cities. The transportation medium might vary. But the 25 to 45 minute average still rules and always has, whether by foot, horse, car or train. I would assume at no time did anybody want to take 90 minutes to start their day.

I'm not sure how true that is, being that 40 hour work weeks and 8 hour days have not been around forever. But I find it a bit curious. I have noticed that getting around on foot in (old) Rome is quite easy, whereas Paris is a bit less pleasant, in my opinion anyway, since the scale is bigger.

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Rich Farris, AIA
Author of "Principles of Creativity, Architecture's Insight to Invention" (Amazon)
Dallas, Texas
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I don't know where you came up with the data Mr. Ferris, but everyone's patience is limited by endurance. City size is a puzzle with enough variales to challenge the creativity and coordination of any designer -- and the stakes have never been higher.

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Walter Hosack
Author
Walter M. Hosack
Dublin OH
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