Auto-centric Design

In the 1960’s, auto-centric development divided neighborhoods and precipitated urban decay across the borough.  Five freeways flow through and around the South Bronx:  the Cross-Bronx Expressway, the Bruckner Expressway, the Major Deegan Expressway,  the Sheridan Expressway and the Hutchinson River Parkway.  Three of these meet at the massive Bruckner Interchange, which sits just to the east of the South Bronx.  These heavily traveled zones are the primary source of dangerous air pollution levels that have led to high asthma rates, especially among children attending schools near expressways [1].  Freeway infrastructure is also a  major obstacle to biking and walking.  One wonders whether the South Bronx can ever be a livable area without the removal of one or more of these freeways.    The Sheridan Expressway, which connects the Bruckner Expressway and the Cross-Bronx Expressway, is considered a prime candidate for highway removal .  

South Bronx Greenway

South Bronx Greenway is a planned series of bicycle and pedestrian pathways that will allow residents to safely travel among the neighborhoods in the South Bronx.   There are very few opportunities for safe recreation in the South Bronx, limited green space, and few safe routes for bicyclists and pedestrians — all of which contributes to higher obesity rates among residents there.  Enveloped by greenery, the pathway will function as a protected park even without formal park space. The first segments will run through Port Morris and link to the Hunts Point Landing, a popular fishing spot on the East River.  The project has been spearheaded by Sustainable South Bronx, and aided by federal stimulus funds [2] as well as a $1.2 million federal grant secured in the late 1990's by the group’s then-director, Majora Carter .  

Trucks, Industry and Asthma

Industries in the South Bronx generate heavy diesel truck traffic — some of the heaviest in the state — along its many expressways and arterials.  Hunts Point in particular houses several wholesale markets and food distribution centers, including the Fulton Fish Market.   The South Bronx also holds 24% of the city’s 63 solid waste transfer stations, meaning that garbage trucks run frequently to and from these centers [3].   While the expressways facilitate the movement of products between the Bronx and the rest of the city, truck traffic emits air toxics and fine particulate matter across this area.  This pollution has put South Bronx residents at higher-than-average risk for asthma and other respiratory diseases.  For example, asthma rates are 17% above the national average (33% for children) while asthma-related deaths and emergency room visits are the highest in New York State [4]. 

In November 2008, Governor David Paterson announced plans to boost enforcement of diesel-truck emissions standards [4].  While this effort may clean up the dirtiest trucks, it will have little effect on the number of motor vehicles traveling through Bronx neighborhoods every day. 
 

 

Community Boards

There are 6 community boards in the South Bronx:

CB1 CB2 CB3 CB4 CB5 CB6

 

Neighborhoods

The South Bronx includes the following neighborhoods:

• Belmont
  
• Downtown Bronx (Concourse Village)
  
• Mount Eden
  
• Fordham
  
• Mott Haven
  
• Melrose
  
• Morrisania
  
• Hunts Point
  
• Highbridge
  
• The Hub
  
• Morris Heights
  
• Tremont and East Tremont
  
• University Heights
  
• West Farms

 

ALSO ON THE LIVABLE STREETS NETWORK

• Streetfilms:  Building Greenways and Community in the Bronx
• Community:  South Bronx Livable Streets Group
  

REFERENCES

[1]  Fernandez, Manny.  A Study Links Trucks’ Exhaust to Bronx Schoolchildren’s Asthma.  The New York Times, October 29, 2006

[2] Fried, Ben.  Stim Funds to Kickstart South Bronx Greenway.  Streetsblog, April 3, 2009.

[3] Waste Transfer Stations in the South Bronx.  South Bronx Environmental Health and Policy Study.  Institute for Civil Infrastructure Systems.  New York University.

[4] Governor Paterson Announces Enforcement Initiative to Curb Health Impacts Associated with Heavy Truck Emissions.  New York State Governor’s Office, November 25, 2008.

PHOTO REFERENCES

[1] Bruckner Boulevard underneath the Bruckner Expressway.  Photo by dandeluca via Flickr.

[2] Building Greenways and Community in the Bronx.  Streetfilms, April 26, 2009.

KEYWORDS

New York City, air quality, pedestrians, bicyclists, highway removal, greenway, open space