Freeway Removal: Reconnecting Our Cities
Let's talk about something that might sound a bit radical at first: freeway removal. We're not just talking about building new, sustainable infrastructure—we're talking about actively dismantling some of the old.
You might be thinking, "Wait a minute, aren't freeways essential for getting around the city?" It's a fair question. After all, we've been conditioned to think of freeways as the arteries of our urban areas. But what if I told you that in many cases, removing freeways can actually improve city life?
Freeway removal is a growing trend in urban planning, and it's all about reimagining our cities for people, not just cars. The idea is to demolish freeways—particularly those cutting through dense urban areas—and replace them with mixed-use spaces, parks, residential areas, or commercial zones. It's part of a broader movement towards creating more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly cities.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Won't this cause traffic chaos?" Surprisingly, the answer is often no. Many cities that have implemented freeway removal have found that traffic adapts. People find alternative routes, switch to public transit, or even better, start walking or biking for shorter trips. Cities are waking up to the fact that their mid-20th century love affair with freeways was a bit of a toxic relationship. Removing freeways doesn't just make cities prettier – it can actually improve traffic flow.
This phenomenon, known as "traffic evaporation," is the urban planning equivalent of a magic trick. When the Harbor Drive Freeway in Portland was replaced with a waterfront park in 1974, 25% of the traffic simply vanished. It's like those drivers looked at the new park and collectively decided, "You know what? I think I'll walk today."
Let me give you a few examples that might blow your mind:
Seoul, South Korea: Remember the Cheonggyecheon? This was once a major elevated highway running through the heart of Seoul. In 2003, the city made the bold decision to tear it down. In its place, they restored an ancient stream and created a beautiful urban park. The result? A reduction in air pollution, lower temperatures in the surrounding area, and a boom in biodiversity. Oh, and traffic? It adapted just fine.
San Francisco, California: After the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the Embarcadero Freeway, the city decided to tear it down rather than repair it. They replaced it with a boulevard that includes light rail. The area has since become one of the most vibrant and valuable in the city.
Portland, Oregon: Back in 1974, Portland removed the Harbor Drive freeway and replaced it with Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This beautiful green space along the Willamette River has become a beloved part of the city, hosting festivals and providing a gathering place for residents and visitors alike.
In Milwaukee, removing the Park East Freeway in 2002 opened up 24 acres of prime downtown real estate. By 2015, that land had generated $1 billion in new investment. That's a return that would make even Warren Buffett do a double-take.
The Underground Shuffle: Boston's infamous "Big Dig" buried its Central Artery, creating 300 acres of new open space above ground. It cost a cool $15 billion, but hey, you can't put a price on not having a massive freeway running through your downtown, right?
These are just a few examples, but they illustrate a powerful point: our cities don't have to be defined by their freeways. We can reclaim this space for people, for nature, for community.
Of course, freeway removal isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires careful planning and consideration of local needs. But it's a powerful tool in the sustainable urbanist's toolkit. It allows us to undo some of the damage done by mid-20th century urban planning, which often prioritized cars over people and cut through vibrant neighborhoods—frequently low-income and minority communities—to build these massive roadways.
By removing these barriers, we can reconnect neighborhoods, reduce air and noise pollution, create new green spaces, and encourage more sustainable forms of transportation. It's about healing the urban fabric and creating cities that are more livable, more equitable, and more sustainable.
And here's an exciting development: in early 2021, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer proposed legislation that would offer cities federal money to remove urban highways. The pilot program includes $10 billion to cover the inspection of existing infrastructure and possibly cover costs involved in removal and redevelopment planning. This could be a game-changer for many American cities looking to reimagine their urban landscapes.
Now, I'm not saying we should tear down every freeway tomorrow. But I am saying that we need to critically examine our urban infrastructure and ask ourselves: Is this serving our communities in the best way possible? Are there better uses for this space? Could we create something more beautiful, more sustainable, and more human-centered?
Many of these urban freeways were originally built through low-income and minority neighborhoods, creating physical barriers that reinforced segregation. Removing these freeways isn't just about improving traffic flow – it's about addressing historical injustices.
In Syracuse, New York, there's a plan to remove a section of Interstate 81 that has long divided the city. The project aims to reconnect neighborhoods and create new economic opportunities in areas that have been overlooked for decades.
Freeway removal is just one example of how sustainable urbanism challenges us to rethink our assumptions about city life. It's about looking at our urban spaces with fresh eyes and imagining what could be, rather than accepting what has always been.
The next time you're stuck in traffic on an urban freeway, look around and imagine: What could this space be? A park? A vibrant neighborhood? A stream lined with cherry blossoms? The possibilities are endless, and that's what makes sustainable urbanism so exciting.
Before you start planning a "Goodbye Freeways" party, let's be clear: we're not talking about removing all freeways everywhere. The goal is to remove urban freeways that no longer serve their purpose and are more harmful than helpful.