Transportation and Economic Development

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In Rethinking Traffic Congestion, the author Brian Taylor discusses that cities exist because they promote social interactions and economic transactions and that the economic health of metropolitan areas is threatened by congestion. I interpret this to mean that there is an assumed “optimal medium” between the two extremes that supports both social interaction and economic activity, without deterring the behavior of consumers. However, it is important to note that the cities that have the most congestion also have the most economic diversity. Meaning there is a variety of goods and services available to consumers such as recreational activities. This challenges the second argument that congestion impedes economic health. This is further reflected in the reading as Taylor analyzes the ease at which one could find the live theater in New York or a Film Studio in LA in comparison to less crowded areas elsewhere.

How do you feel congestion impacts economic activity in your community? Do you think there exists an optimal medium in this environment?

Additionally, in class we discussed how transportation dictates development, and is subsequently a “shaper of cities.” I first connected this to the physical landscape of cities, I then connected this to the anthropogenic behaviors of the city, and identified some parallels in the evolution of transportation and the economy as it exists today.

Transportation allowed people to span a greater distance, work in one part of town while living in another, have a weekend away, and a nearly endless list of other activities. This ultimately impacted the economic capabilities within the city. Fast Company published an article titled, The Most and Least Sprawling Cities In America, that reports several cities according to an index score that assesses compact-ness. The more compact cities are internationally known, hubs of creativity, and the main industries that drive the local economy are easily identified.

Can you name other patterns that parallel with the development of transportation systems?


Taylor, Brian D. “Rethinking Traffic Congestion,” Access, 21: 8-16, Fall 2002.



Written by Jensen Perrick
Edited by Minju Kim





Comments

  1. Sara UrbinaOctober 30, 2018 at 11:17 PM

    In one hand congestion is good and it's the sign of active urban area, but on the other hand, congestion has negative impacts on the environment, safety, and economy. I believe some of the implication of congestions for the economy is increased payroll to compensate travel costs and higher operating and processing costs of vehicles.

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