Why everything turns to asphalt

Cars were once a ticket to opportunity, opening access to work, housing, and recreation far beyond traditional neighborhoods. But the same system that expanded freedom has gradually boxed people in. Put simply, when cities organize themselves around vehicle convenience rather than human mobility, the benefits fall apart—economically, socially, and physically. Roads and parking consume vast amounts of space, families take on heavy transportation costs, and people without cars lose independence. The cautionary comparison to King Midas is clear: when everything turns to gold—or asphalt—what once felt like abundance becomes a burden. Andy Boenau with Urbanism Speakeasy has the full story.

Andy Boenau

Urbanism Speakeasy

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