Planetizen Press Advisory: Removing Urban Freeways

From "Removing Urban Freeways"

As part of our effort to slow global warming, we shouldb e correcting one of the great errors in the history of American city planning: the post-war binge of urban freeway building, argues Charles Siegel.

Citing examples of cities that have already eliminated freeways in their urban core, Siegel presents the case for replacing obsolete freeways such as the controversial Seattle Viaduct with transit- and pedestrian-friendly surface streets.

"Rebuilding freeways in an age of global warming is like rebuilding deck-chairs on the Titanic, so passengers can keep following their old habits while the ship sinks," says Siegel.

To help cope with traffic issues resulting from the removal of a freeway, he offers several short term TDM strategies, as well as a prescription for more urban transit and TOD.

Charles Siegel is the author of The End of Economic Growth and the creator of the web site Removing Freeways -- Restoring Cities.