Cities have become dull and lacking of any human-centric spaces. The American auto industry. Along with the highway expansion has decimated tradition urban fabrics of cities across America. In addition, cities have adopted the last great European colonial export(modernist architecture) for all cities across the county. This policy is geared towards bringing back traditional urban design principles: walkable neighborhoods, classical design, public spaces, grand civic centers, multi-use buildings, etc.
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I think an important aspect that also needs to be addressed is the role of public transportation, particularly trains, in reviving our cities. Modern urban planning has catered too much to cars, which not only take up an enormous amount of space but also contribute to urban congestion and pollution. Instead of being used for efficient movement, cars often just idle in traffic, spewing harmful gases into the air that we breathe.
By shifting the focus back to robust public transit systems, especially trains, we can reduce car dependence, create more space for people (think wider sidewalks, parks, and plazas), and improve air quality. Public transit also makes cities safer for pedestrians—when fewer cars dominate smaller streets, there’s less risk of accidents, and roads can be designed for people, not just vehicles. To take this even further, we should advocate for pedestrian-only streets in the heart of the city. This would keep large roads from dividing neighborhoods and make space for communal activities and green areas. Additionally, extensive bike lanes would encourage eco-friendly transportation and further reduce car traffic, giving our cities a more balanced, human-centered infrastructure.