Freeways in the USA

In a blog about Urban Ecology, it makes sense to start with Highways. Highways, in many ways, have defined the architecture and planning of the United States. Seeing cities of the 1950s artistically contrasted with the same cities post-highway development was a shock, insofar as to connect people with the impacts of highway expansion that we all face. The displacement of people from their homes in order to create a mega-fast freeway is obvious when considering the patterns and rates of industry in this country. As incentives to keep people moving faster have increased, community fabrics have been replaced by sprawling urban food deserts and industrial deserts. This phenomenon was displayed very clearly in the photo sliders.

We live in a country obsessed with Freedom. Freedom to drive where you want. The image of a freeway etched into a barren landscape is a quintessential emblem of "Freedom". The advertisements we see for cars (bigger, faster, stronger) are ubiquitous. Freedom is communicated via large chunks of steel zipping down asphalt strips in deserts. What is not shown in these commercials are the same freeways ripping apart communities and forcing families out of homes.

wonderfulengineering.com

There are ways to alleviate the detrimental effects of freeways on communities. In many urban areas where there are pre-existing underpasses, communities have made areas for commerce or recreation where zoning for housing is impossible. In addition, developers can put freeways in areas that are neither socially nor ecologically vulnerable using GIS mapping and modern census technology.