The 20th Century had a big impact on American cities, especially during the mid-century urban renewal period which cleared land for highways, parking lots, and public facilities.
Replacing spatially-connected networks of streets and buildings with car-centric infrastructure, these freeways, superblocks, and megastructures forever changed the social framework of American cities.
Specifically impacting low-income and black communities, mid-century planners not only targeted poor and minority neighborhoods, but they used the projects to reinforce segregation. These programs have caused long-lasting economic, social, and physical harm that can still be felt today.
Use this tool to see how American cities have changed over the past 50 years. Once open, click and drag the slider bar as shown in each image to compare cities before and after this period.
Main Features
- Observe images from the Northeast, Midwest, Oklahoma and Texas, Southeast, and the West
- Scrollable cities for each region
- Use a slider to see how American cities have changed in the past 50 years
Launch 60 Years Of Urban Change
Authors and Creators
Tool created by the University of Oklahoma
