Recent research studies have highlighted the negative impacts of urban freeways on residents in populated urban areas.
One study used technical urban economic modeling to demonstrate local effects of freeways which include air and sound pollution caused by thousands of cars releasing carbon emissions and particulate matter. While previous economic research has shown the benefits of freeways as regional connectors that aid in suburbanisation and connect cities, the new studies suggest that freeways make urban life worse and can be detrimental to the quality of life of centre-city residents.
The new information about the negative consequences of freeways calls for adjustments in city planning to achieve more equitable outcomes. Researchers argue that the costs and benefits of freeways are distributed unevenly, with certain populations bearing the brunt of the negative impacts, such as reduced access to amenities and job opportunities. Urban freeways have been linked to increased pollution which has detrimental effects on the environment and human health. The studies suggest that there is a need to address the harms of freeways on local communities, particularly those in underserved neighbourhoods that are more vulnerable to the negative impacts of pollution.
In response to the research findings, some cities are taking action to address the harms of freeways. For example, the city of Seattle in the U.S. has proposed a plan to replace an elevated freeway with a tunnel, which would reduce the negative impacts of traffic on the surrounding neighbourhoods. Similarly, in Los Angeles, activists are advocating for the removal of a freeway to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents.Overall, the new research sheds light on the inequitable distribution of costs and benefits of urban freeways and highlights the need for city planning to prioritise the health and wellbeing of local communities. By addressing the negative impacts of freeways, cities can work towards creating more sustainable urban environment.
