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Last time, I introduced this series by pointing out the complexities of making planning-related decisions and the need to be cognizant of all of the interrelated factors that go into them. This time I鈥檒l provide some historical context.

Planning as a profession started in the early 20th century as an offshoot of the larger movement to improve public health. The original planning concepts were to create communities built around the main forms of transportation at that time 鈥� primarily streetcars and commuter rail 鈥� and provide public parks and other aspects of a healthy environment. This resulted in what we call 鈥渟treetcar鈥� suburbs 鈥� the inner-ring neighborhoods that are so popular now. But after World War II, the planners of that era helped facilitate suburban, auto-dominated growth to address the immediate need for housing and mobility for a growing nation. This resulted in the endless strip malls and single-family housing developments that are the dominant feature of our urban landscape today.

Nothing like this had been seen in human history. Until then, human habitation had been focused on building for the needs of people, with all forms of transportation and development oriented toward a walking environment. All across the country streetcars were removed and freeways built, leading to the creation of whole new suburban areas built around and facilitated by automotive transportation. In many areas it became virtually impossible to go to work or school, shop or recreate without using a car.

By the late 20th century, planners and other urban professionals became increasingly aware of the huge, interlinked set of problems this had caused. Next time, I鈥檒l begin to discuss the three main negative consequences of this auto-oriented experiment in human settlement patterns.