I recommend watching this video; it not only describes more about what Depave does, it is also interesting to see the types of participants involved. It seems like there are a lot of students, emo looking young people and hippies, which, being from Santa Cruz, CA, is a term I use lovingly and with respect. Different from Santa Cruz hippies, the activists in the video are eloquent in explaining their purpose. I was impressed by the fusion of expert urban-planning jargon, idealism, and practicality.

I was most struck by few ideas. The first was a participant who commented on streets as commons and also as inefficient use of land. The second was the girl who mentions communities that are choosing to have fewer places for cars in favor of more places for people. The third was the joy exhibited by the volunteers working on what appears to be pretty hard labor; they really want to tear up that asphalt.

Depaving is probably very theraputic. Reclaiming neighborhoods and making that which can be harmful productive are good for the soul. The DIY/indy/crafty movement has grown environmental legs, and it’s nice to see where it's headed.