As we navigate the bustling streets of New York City, it’s hard to ignore the omnipresence of cars.
Yet, this automobile-dominated landscape is a relatively recent phenomenon, emerging primarily in the last century.
Once a canvas painted with vibrant street life, pre-automobile New York offered a different aesthetic entirely.
Today, cars have become such an integral part of the urban scenery that they often go unnoticed, blending into the backdrop of apartment buildings, street vendors, and flocks of pigeons.
However, familiarity doesn’t equate to beauty.
As a bike mechanic and occasional car user, the author reflects on the dual nature of vehicles as both useful tools and unsightly intrusions.
Cars not only pose dangers to pedestrians and cyclists but also detract from the visual appeal of the city.
The harsh sounds of revving engines and the unpleasant smells permeate the air, painting a sensory picture that starkly contrasts with the joy of urban living.
It is noteworthy that car commercials are curated to showcase glamour and sophistication, completely ignoring the grim reality of highway congestion and parking lots filled with identical SUVs.
Manufacturers often rely on natural landscapes in their advertisements, perhaps hoping to associate their vehicles with the beauty of the outdoors.
In contrast, pedestrian plazas, quintessential components of a revitalized urban space, are slowly taking over portions of the city.
These areas provide essential breaks from the overwhelming stimuli of car culture.
Outdoor seating, greenery, and art installations allow New Yorkers to slow down and appreciate the beauty around them.
Such public spaces offer a more genuine form of communal interaction compared to merely reserving zones for vehicle storage.
The colorful furniture, greenery, and even the physical barriers that define these spaces are far more visually appealing than stagnant, parked cars.
Programs like Open Streets highlight the benefits of converting roadways into spaces for people rather than vehicles.
These initiatives encourage community engagement, family activities, and increased foot traffic for local businesses.
Small businesses are vital to the city’s character, and many of these establishments predate modern transportation trends.
Contrast this with the sight of shuttered storefronts, which reflect the neglect that can come from car-focused policies.
Cities like Tokyo, Paris, and Venice have long illustrated the allure of car-free streets, drawing in visitors and providing vibrant, active environments for locals.
The aesthetic of greenery in urban settings can significantly enhance the atmosphere of our concrete jungles.
Simple measures like planting trees or creating rain gardens improve the visual landscape while promoting environmental benefits.
Trees offer shade and a visual reprieve and combat climate issues by reducing carbon in the atmosphere.
Research shows that access to green spaces positively influences community health and well-being.
As such, prioritizing plants over cars could substantially improve the quality of life for residents in New York City.
The relationship between urban design and automobile dependency raises critical questions about policy choices in New York.
While cars have historically played a role in city life, the extraordinary space allocated for vehicles risks overshadowing more positive urban experiences.
Encouraging car ownership and daily usage, rather than promoting public transportation or shared mobility options, is a questionable policy direction that harms both pedestrians and drivers alike.
Ultimately, the challenge lies in redefining our city to regain its beauty and livability, replacing concrete and cars with plants, vibrant public spaces, and thriving local businesses.
If we approach urban planning with a focus on people instead of vehicles, we can reclaim New York City as a place where beauty, community, and culture flourish, rather than succumb to the harsh realities of car dependency.
image source from：https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/05/27/car-harms-cars-are-just-ugly
