American cities are not scaled to the energy diet of the future. They have become too large. They're over-scaled.

In this quote, James Howard Kunstler argues that American cities are not suited for the energy diet of the future, meaning that they have become too large and inefficient for the way people will need to live in a world with limited resources. Kunstler suggests that these cities, which were designed during a time of cheap and abundant energy, are now struggling to adapt to the realities of a more sustainable future. As the cost of energy rises and environmental concerns grow, cities built around sprawling infrastructure and car dependence are no longer practical.

Kunstler describes these cities as over-scaled, meaning that they are too big, sprawling, and difficult to navigate efficiently. The growth of many urban areas in the United States has led to a reliance on cars and fossil fuels, which may not be sustainable in the future due to energy constraints and the environmental impact of such transportation methods. The term over-scaled reflects the mismatch between the vast size of modern cities and the growing need for more localized, energy-efficient communities.

The concept of an energy diet reflects a shift in thinking about how we consume resources. Kunstler advocates for a future where cities are scaled to be more sustainable, walkable, and reliant on renewable energy sources, rather than sprawling out of control. He is critical of cities that have become overly dependent on automobiles, vast road systems, and unsustainable growth, suggesting that these factors contribute to a wasteful, inefficient use of resources.

Ultimately, James Howard Kunstler’s quote serves as a critique of current urban planning practices and a warning about the future. He calls for a reconsideration of how cities are built and how they function, emphasizing the importance of adapting urban environments to a future that values sustainability, efficiency, and localization. His statement encourages a reevaluation of the way cities are designed, advocating for smaller, more self-sufficient communities that can thrive in a world with limited energy resources.