Union City area had public transportation for ages. The only thing that has changed recently is exorbitant real estate prices, which incentivized the developments. (But let me guess, the core users of r/fuckcars probably against those greedy developers as well simultaneously, because, you know, greedy capitalists)

But there is more.

Development in the whole Union City are just immensely ugly. On a photo Union City looks like a city, but when you arrive there it feels like you're walking between giant parking lots all the time.

Just look at it: https://www.google.com/maps/@40.773191,-74.0138385,3a,75y,129.38h,89.9t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZ8YrkFi2FkHyIbJiXkkoYg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Such a nice vibe of soulless brick walls and obscure service doors with nothing interesting for an eye to latch on to.

Here is the building from the photo: https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7745921,-74.012889,3a,75y,63.39h,94.29t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sMO1eR6haWyQD5mov7SR7JA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7751815,-74.0124786,3a,75y,122.62h,96.79t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZNfokqUdpe4XiowBhwBZUA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

First 3 stories are just soulless parking. I would not want to walk around that street. There is nothing to do there. Even during the day time it's ugly. At night it's creepy.

Why does it look so? 2 reasons. First because zoning laws are just purely stupid in many places in America. First floor should be lovely commerce or public places. Second is stupid or lazy or cheap architects, because this style is just everywhere in America. Tons of tons of residential building one after another with no break for commerce or parks or squares.

The funny thing when the money is in they can definitely build healthy high and mid-rises. Just look at the nice parts of Jersey City or Boston.