Highways and Urban Sprawl

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the Eisenhower administration's federal auto highways program had several major effects on the American population. It looks at how it allowed automobile commuting, which, when coupled with the federal housing administration's low-interest home loans and fears resulting from the effects of desegregation, created "white flight" and led to the creation of America's suburbs and a suburban/urban class dichotomy. It also shows how it created what could be considered an American mono-culture by radically reducing the barriers to interstate transportation and making society more mobile. It also did much to integrate and homogenize rural economies, creating new wealth around highway exits where highways crossed major roads.

From the Paper:

"The trend over the last 15 years has not only been to move to suburbs but to what are called "exurbs" as well. Politicians at the local level realize that this is the way that people have grown comfortable living. It was predominantly the case that people would live in suburbs and commute to the city [in the 60's and 70's] but the appeal of lower taxes and land costs have been a big draw for business. The Gore campaign tried to excoriate developers prior to the 2000 election, but such initiatives only have appeal for a small audience. Cities like Portland, Oregon and Chattanooga, Tennessee feature managed growth attempts that cater to such an audience."

More papers on Highways and Urban Sprawl:

• Analytical Essay # 132075 : "Urban Sprawl"
• Persuasive Essay # 135579 : "The Need to Curtail Urban Sprawl"
• Essay # 51415 : "Route 55: An Ecological Quagmire"

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