THE SWISS ARE BOTH A HIT AND A MISS

I'm surprised Vancouver rates so high on the list of desirable cities (Bad
traffic knocks us off our pedestal as the world's most livable city, March
11). The Downtown Eastside decays and junkies die in the street in a battle
over drug policy, car culture fights vehemently against transit
improvements as monotonous suburban sprawl grows around us, homes rot or
burn because of marijuana prohibition and people risk their lives in
firetraps because it's illegal to dance after 2 a.m. as our economy wavers
under heavy-handed bureaucracy.

Although the Swiss seem conservative, they are also tolerant and
progressive thinkers and have found a way to work together to solve their
problems. (Note that they have three cities in the top 10.)

My friend and her neighbours leave their unlocked bikes in the unlocked
storage room in the (often) unlocked lobby of their downtown apartment;
small children play in the streets after dark.

Zurich has a clearly defined edge surrounded by green countryside dotted
with unique villages and towns and an impressive network of trains and
trams. There are no panhandlers. Nightclubs are packed until sunrise. Their
economy is thriving.

Vancouver could become a truly great city if we'd drop some of our
puritanical impositions and quit whining and fighting about everything.

Ron van der Eerden, Vancouver