Reclaiming the Roads: German Models of Transitioning Car-Centric Infrastructure for Walkability and it’s Transferability in the U.S
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Mentor Information
Dr. Peter N. Funke
Description
The economic boom post World War II and rebranding of the American dream packaged into single family homes and quiet suburbs promoted the explosion of car-centric infrastructure throughout the US. Many previously walkable areas were converted into sprawling roads that have become a signature of US development. Consequentially, most modern American cities prioritize personal automotive travel and infrastructure above all other forms of transportation, which has become expensive to maintain and isolating for those seeking alternative modes of transportation. Germany experienced a similar boom in car-centric infrastructure, similarly demolishing historical areas in favor for roads to service automobiles of which the nation has become famous for manufacturing. However, Germany has seen success in some cities and towns in reversing car-centric infrastructure for human scaled development and multi-modal transportation. As new urbanism has surged in popularity in recent years, many US cities are struggling to find feasible ways to make their cities more walkable and livable. Cars remain prominent in Germany, however the ability for many towns and regions to maintain accessibility for pedestrians could offer a model that could be more attainable for the U.S to achieve considering the expansive sprawled auto-oriented development in the US. Our research focuses on the economic, political and design decisions made by German cities-notably Freiberg, Leipzig, and Munich- to reconcile modern automobile transport with walkable design and their viability in serving as a model for US cities desiring to achieve greater accessibility and walkability whilst acknowledging historical, cultural, and policy differences.
Reclaiming the Roads: German Models of Transitioning Car-Centric Infrastructure for Walkability and it’s Transferability in the U.S
The economic boom post World War II and rebranding of the American dream packaged into single family homes and quiet suburbs promoted the explosion of car-centric infrastructure throughout the US. Many previously walkable areas were converted into sprawling roads that have become a signature of US development. Consequentially, most modern American cities prioritize personal automotive travel and infrastructure above all other forms of transportation, which has become expensive to maintain and isolating for those seeking alternative modes of transportation. Germany experienced a similar boom in car-centric infrastructure, similarly demolishing historical areas in favor for roads to service automobiles of which the nation has become famous for manufacturing. However, Germany has seen success in some cities and towns in reversing car-centric infrastructure for human scaled development and multi-modal transportation. As new urbanism has surged in popularity in recent years, many US cities are struggling to find feasible ways to make their cities more walkable and livable. Cars remain prominent in Germany, however the ability for many towns and regions to maintain accessibility for pedestrians could offer a model that could be more attainable for the U.S to achieve considering the expansive sprawled auto-oriented development in the US. Our research focuses on the economic, political and design decisions made by German cities-notably Freiberg, Leipzig, and Munich- to reconcile modern automobile transport with walkable design and their viability in serving as a model for US cities desiring to achieve greater accessibility and walkability whilst acknowledging historical, cultural, and policy differences.
