Why cities should destroy their highways

[marmar]

from Grist:



Why cities should destroy their highways

by Christopher Mims
14 Nov 2011 12:03 PM


America has a huge transportation infrastructure deficit, which means lots of our highways are due to be rebuilt. But according to Next American City editor at large Diana Lind, we'd be better off simply knocking them down, especially the ones that blight our cities.

It's been done before, reports http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/smart-takes/why-cities-should-dismantle-highways/20295?tag=mantle_skin;content">Andrew Nusca at SmartPlanet:

After the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the city of San Francisco faced the tremendous task of rebuilding the structurally-damaged Embarcadero Freeway. Instead, they tore it down, replaced it with a people-friendly boulevard that encouraged development. The surrounding area has since rebounded, Lind said, with higher property values, more tourism and more housing for city residents.

.....(snip).....

And how will people get around without all those highways? Mass transit, of course. America is relearning what countries in Europe and Asia never forgot -- in cities, cars are often the least good way to get around. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.grist.org/list/2011-11-14-why-cities-should-destroy-their-highways

[WillParkinson]

1. Nice idea, but...

Milwaukee just gutted their mass transit system and it doesn't run when I work so I'd need alternative ways to work.

And Republicans have a hard-on about destroying the infrastructure anyway.

[CreekDog]

2. i think without first improving public transit you'll just end up with India-like traffic jams

unless you want to have that happen for 5-10 years and make these cities unlivable for much of that time while the infrastructure is built up.

i wouldn't.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

3. Bravo! You know, until people live the awesomeness of fantastic public transport, they won't

understand.

I lived in Europe, and got so used to their fantastic and rapid public transport, that even many years later, I STILL can't get used to what a ROYAL PAIN IN THE ASS having to drive even for a frikkin quart of milk is. It's simply monstrous, really. People who know nothing else, think it's just dandy because of the 'privacy' but that's because they don't have a thing to compare it to, since public transport in this country is literally shit, thanks to the constant pushing to keep this country dependent on automobiles.

[marmar]

4. Completely agree.....

In the suburb that I used to live in, there was a great gourmet deli across the street from my apartment complex. But walking across the ever-busy road with cars zipping back and forth would have been a threat to your survival. So I would end up driving the few hundred yards across the road. It's an absolutely insane way to live.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

5. Living in an auto-nation is not pleasurable, but people here know nothing but that nt