Date: February 1, 2025
Author(s): Andres F. Ramirez, Emmanuel Proussaloglou, Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, Jacob L. Wasserman
Abstract
U.S. freeways have come under scrutiny for their adverse impacts on low-income neighborhoods of color, primarily in urban centers. This article offers a comparative historical analysis of the impact of freeways on two communities in Southern California, which were ethnically diverse suburbs. Planning authorities in Pasadena and Pacoima chose freeway routes that displaced a greater share of households of color than the proposed alternatives. Meanwhile, neighboring white, wealthier communities successfully influenced routing decisions in consequential ways. Beyond the visible and immediate effects of the freeways, social inequity and environmental degradation persist in both neighborhoods today.
About the Project
California’s freeways have come under increasing scrutiny for their disproportionately adverse impacts on low-income populations and populations of color. This project uses empirical research to not only understand but also […]