Big Dig - any Moses connection? (Boston: renewal, automobile, rated)

[ptocco]

I've been researching cities and highways lately. I find that Robert Moses was the leading influence behind many of these inner city highways, a lot of them very destructive and now being removed. I'm wondering if Robert Moses did any consulting in Boston's mess before the Big Dig.

thanks

[lrfox]

^I don't know. The concept of the Big Dig seems sort of anti-Moses (placing the highways underground to reconnect areas of the city). Moses' influence was huge in NYC and his philosophy (much to the chagrin of Jane Jacobs) coincided with the urban renewal and the automobile-centric redevelopment that took place in the 50's and 60's.

I don't know what, if any influence he would have had in Boston's project.

[ptocco]

Great, I posted a question to the Boston forum.

Moses must have been a fascinating guy. And he didn't even drive a car, they say. Maybe his thrill was being in command of all those public works projects. It was the culmination in this great hope of progress that accelerated during the Depression as people looked to technology as their savior. I should read some Jane Jacobs.

Thanks

[lrfox]

good. I'll check over there because I'm curious about this as well. As for jane Jacobs, "death and life of great American cities" is very informative, and also an easy read. Even though it's 40+ years old, it's still considered the bible of urban planning today.