How highways wrecked American cities
The Interstate Highway System was one of America’s most revolutionary infrastructure projects. It also destroyed urban neighbourhoods across the nation.
Why are the U.S. cities cut across with highway systems that are not providing the promised paradise-like mobility, but also that have destroyed urban neighbourhoods? The Eisenhower-led project of Interstate Highway System is part of the answer, but one also has to look into the economics of it (who benefits the car-oriented cities?) and the social momentum (why would people switch to individual vehicles instead of public transportation?).
Without getting into conspiracy theory, it is worth to have a look at the transformation of Los Angeles – from an early 20th century city based on Railway and famous Los Angeles’ Pacific Electric Streetcar Network to 20th/21st century city being a synonymous of a car-dominated overwhelming conurbation. I can only recommend this story from The Guardian.
Also, in the video Greenwich Village is mentioned. I guess the authors have in mind Lower Manhattan Expressway (LOMEX) or Canal Street Expressway project forced by Robert Moses and opposed by Jane Jacobs. Another good read from The Guardian.