The Effect of Automobiles on Cities Research Assignment

The Effect of Automobiles on Cities
Name:
Course:
Instructor:
Date:
Ever since its introduction in the very early 1900s, automobiles have had a great impact on cities. Automobiles shape the planning of the city regarding its layout, structure, and size. The impact the automobiles has had on cities can be traced back to the transportation technology. This is especially the streetcar and the railway's lines which have left an imprint that is physical. This paper discusses the effect the automobiles since their introduction in the early 1900s has had on the size, structure, and layout of cities.
When the automobiles were introduced, they took over the public transit. Public transit was static and thus restricted to specific areas in town. With the cars in town, people could travel conveniently and faster to different areas. This thus permitted settlement over a wider area thus the expansion of the sizes of cities. This provided those who owned cars the flexibility and convenience of work, enjoying recreational activities and shopping almost anytime and anywhere. Automobiles took largely the place of pedestrianism and rail. At the same time, the areas in the inner city that lacked any form of transportation, automobiles served as an aid. This thus pushed the suburban out thus expanding the cities.
Earlier on, the street cities followed the routes taken by the transportation systems. With time the cars outgrew these old routes and other routes had to be put in place. The cars had to use the same routes as the public transit systems, trolleys, pedestrians among others who moved at speeds that varied. One thing that was noted was that automobile was not as private that it did not require the support of the government. They still used the existing routes, thus requiring both the support of the government and the public. This was in regard to tax subsidies, road construction, gasoline manufacturers among others. What this means is that the responsibility of the public and the government was required in planning the town. More roads were constructed to fit the increasing needs. Thus the structure of cities has taken to having more roads around the cities with gasoline stations at various points.
The layout of the cities has been greatly affected by automobiles. Starting from the CBD all the way to the outer suburbs has been laid in accordance with the movement of automobiles. Cities have been planned ...