The Nanny named State!

On a recent holiday in Europe, I found myself having the same thought over and over again: “this would not be allowed to happen in Australia”.

Enter the Nanny State, a term of British origin that conveys the view that a government or its policies are overprotective or interfering unduly with personal choice. The term “nanny state” likens government to the role that a nanny has in child rearing (Wikipedia).

The more I think about it the more it bothers me. Helmet laws, footpath width regulations, liquor laws, handrail requirements, alfresco dining permits, rubbish collection, house design, lighting etc. etc. etc! The level to which we Australians over regulate things is quite frankly astounding, and it is holding our cities back.

I have always felt a little hemmed in by Australian law and cultural norms but recently visiting France and Italy acted as a stark reminder that so much of what the world loves about Europe (it’s worth noting that France is the world’s most popular tourist destination) is actually illegal in Australia. Even though lots of us (planning and design circles particularly) want to, we simply can’t replicate key facets of the vibrant and exciting places found in great European cities because of our overly restrictive laws.

Forget Segways! Skateways!? The closest thing to a hover board this decade

Inventors in Silicon Valley are working on a revolutionary transportation technology. It’s called a skateboard. I recall my first skateboard, it had the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on it. IT WAS AWESOME! Single kicktail and extra wide body for more Ninja Turtle action. Wicked!

But the new era of skateboarding isn't designed for your typical teen in a Ramones t-shirt (or Ninja Turtles), it's aimed at the growing number of urban professionals who don't want to drive to work yet want to be cool... and have deep pockets - the Boosted board (pictured below) costs a cool $US1995.