Albuquerque's Environmental Story
Albuquerque's Environmental Story  |
The lessons Central Avenue has to offer extend beyond streets and neighborhoods and apply to much of the city as a whole. For much of Albuquerque consists of square miles of residential and commercial development that was once new and much sought after but, with the passage of time, was soon spurned in favor of ever newer development even farther from the city's core. The wasteful nature of this type of sprawl is readily apparent yet not easily corrected. The decay of much of East Central is symptomatic of what has been taking place in adjoining neighborhoods: the revival of older neighborhoods makes possible the avenue's rejuvenation. The fact that some of Central Avenue is sloughing off its decay gives us hope that Albuquerque itself may be coming to handle its development in a more mature manner. We may be starting to emerge from the "throw-away society."
Central is more than an important street and more than a barometer of our city's decay and revival. With its juxtaposition of old landmarks and vital new growth, it is a source of a sense of history, something which most of the citizens sadly lack. It is one of the few functioning symbols of our continuity with the past. As such, it deserves our care, respect, and sustained efforts to assure its future vitality.
(Up to Section II, Back to History of Central Avenue, On to Sense of Place)