Freeways: Do larger/busier freeways make a city feel larger in general? (versus, rail)
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I requested the deletion of my previous thread with the same topic as I wasn't able to make the proper changes, so bear with me.
Do larger busier freeways make a city feel larger in general?
In order to accurately gauge any city's true size, you must explore it in its entirety, but I am curious to know if freeway size/traffic make a difference to anyone else besides me. This should be interesting because I think it truly depends on what each individual is most accustomed to, and whatever they associate with feeling large but we will see.
Definitly depends on the city. When you think of NYC you typically don't think about its freeway network.
I think Atlanta is a wonderful example. Except unlike the picture above the northern approach down the I-75/85 connector is really large. This make a large open space, even if it asphalt to see two major skylines of the city up close. It is a view I love, even though I am being increasingly pessimistic about freeways.
Watch this video from 0:30 to 3:00 and you will see what I mean. If this dashboard camera could look left while shooting the view would be even more impressive.
To me busy rail lines always feel more like a big city - highways are everywhere - but then again also the street level on foot probably tells the best story
I think it definitely can. I was driving a friend back in Des Moines who hadn't been there, and she perked up all the sudden when we were on the 10-lane crowded freeway downtown and said "holy crap, I didn't know this city was so big".
Well of course NYC is a major exception to ALL rules.
The difference in dynamic though just cannot be understated, especially when compared to a freeway that is less than half as large with much less traffic.
I honestly thought that everyone felt the same, but not necessarily so.
This may be the angle that you are referring to although Midtown is mostly obstructed from view:
Yep that's the view
Whats weird is... it isn't really view the freeway, but yet the view it produces. I think part of me deep down wants a river or a lake in the middle of the city.
what is the difference between someone on foot and someone behind the wheel? How does one feel any different from the other?
EDIT: To clarify this comment, a person on foot versus someone driving clearly feel nothing like one another, I mean seriously that I can appreciate.
The point is, why are we ignoring people because they are driving?!
Quote:
Originally Posted by kidphilly
Interesting Question...
What about LA, HOU, MIA? Do you not think that LA would feel any smaller with freeways the size of Shreveport LA? I tend to think so.
LOL, so what do you do, go around ignoring everyone that enjoys driving? I guess I'll never have to worry about running into you while I'm there.
It definitely does make it feel bigger. A large and busy freeway like the ones in LA, Houston, and Atlanta certainly add to the big city feeling because there are so many cars filled with people everywhere. The hustle and bustle of a large freeway may not be everyones favorite type of big city feel, but driving around on a 12 lane freeway filled with cars definitely lets you know you're in a big city.
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