According to a newly released working paper, people in 20th century noticed the air and noise pollution and severed neighborhoods caused by freeways, and many of those people chose to move to the suburbs rather than deal with the nuisance.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia released a working paper [pdf] recently that documents the detrimental effects of freeways on quality of life in central urban areas.
As explained in an article by Darryl C. Murphy, researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia "took a broad look at how highways have contributed to suburbanization, and the subsequent decline of U.S. cities during the 20th century. "
"They found that between 1950 and 2010 highways slowed growth in income, population, and land values in city centers, while having the opposite effect in outlying areas," according to Murphy.
A key aspect of the narrative built in the paper is the history of "freeway revolts"—communities banding together to sway the final product of the Interstate highway system where it passed through urban areas. The study documents the changes these revolts were able to produce in the final freeway products of urban areas.
Despite the location of the authors who wrote this working paper, the research focuses specifically on examples from Boston, Chicago, and Detroit.
FULL STORY: Philly Fed economists: Here’s how highways ruined your city
Bus Lanes, Desired by Advocates for Chicago's Lake Shore Drive Project, Back on the Table
After releasing a list of project alternatives that didn't include new bus lanes in the existing roadway, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has changed its mind.
North Lake Shore Drive Redo Falls Short of Bus Priority Expectations
Strong criticisms of the project alternatives under consideration by the Illinois Department of Transportation for the closely watched North Lake Shore Drive project.
Research Quantifies the High Price of the Massachusetts Car Economy
Car culture isn't free, even for people who don't own cars.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research