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📅 Today's Story: New research and urban design advocacy are fueling a shift away from one-way street networks, as planners recognize their unintended consequences on safety, local economies, and overall livability.
📝 Editor's Note: As a reminder, our Monday issues are always weekly lookbacks that cover all of our major cities, along with a new featured story from last week. Feel free to leave us feedback at [email protected].
URBAN PLANNING
Why Cities Are Reversing Their One-Way Streets |
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One-way streets are falling out of fashion, and for good reason (Shutterstock)
📰 What Happened: Originally implemented in the mid-20th century to streamline traffic to and from highways, many downtown one-way corridors harm walkability, discourage local commerce, and compromise safety. And although drivers naturally dislike one-way streets, it turns out they’re actually less safe for pedestrians, too.
🔍 A Closer Look: While one-way streets can work in narrow corridors, they cut access to business and lead to more reckless driving and worse car crashes. They’re also linked to higher crime and lower property values. Meanwhile, two-way streets slow traffic and boost visibility—good for pedestrians, drivers, and commercial.
🧠 Why It Matters: As more U.S. cities seek to boost street safety and brick-and-mortar retail development, converting one-way streets back into two-way is gaining traction. Cities like Louisville, KY, already report safer streets and more retail activity after two-way conversions.
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