![]() 23 Officials often overlook the potential for deck parks to prevent these very problems. This is in part because areas with major roadways tend to have lower property values and in part because green space tends to be a lower-priority investment in cities struggling to provide essential services to their citizens, such as health, welfare, and transportation. 29,30 There could be many projects that are easier still to complete because the freeway itself is below grade and can therefore be capped without much disruption to traffic.ĭespite the advantages of deck parks, it is rare that such projects are undertaken. One example of a successful above-grade deck park is Freeway Park in Seattle, Washington, which came at a relatively low cost of $18 million per acre and has become a centerpiece of the city (even as it sits atop 8 lanes of freeway). These can more easily be covered with an elevated park. There are also more feasible projects, in which highways are already below ground or are at ground level. 8,9,28 The price tag was so high in part because the project involved burying a highway that was elevated. 8,26 However, the Big Dig was plagued by problems, such as leaking tunnels and ceiling collapses, and the initial investment may run well over $20 billion by the time interest is paid. This revitalized the area, producing vibrant and green pedestrian areas with shopping. It also hid a 1.5-mile swath of freeway in the city’s urban center. This project resulted in the creation of 5 urban parks. ![]() On one extreme, there was the “Big Dig” in Boston. However, such projects come with huge costs. 14–22 They can also have positive impacts on property values. 10–13 In doing so, deck parks have the potential to reduce diabetes, heart disease, mental illness, cancer, low birth weight, and death associated with accidents. Finally, deck parks provide green space in which people can exercise and relax. Deck parks also place vehicles in a tunnel, thereby reducing noise and air pollution in surrounding neighborhoods. In doing so, they not only reduce accidents but they also encourage active, pollution-free transportation such as biking or jogging. Most notably, they remove contact between pedestrians and automobiles. 4,8,9ĭeck parks can produce multiple health benefits. ![]() Such parks are variously known as “freeway cap parks,” “deck parks,” or simply “freeway parks.” 2–5 This process has been tried in contexts as diverse as Santiago, Chile, 6,7 and Boston, Massachusetts. One option for increasing green space is for cities to cover major roadways with parks. 1 It also increasingly becomes a scarce commodity. Our analysis showed that deck parks produce exceptional value when implemented over below-grade sections of road.Īs the world urbanizes, green space-such as parks in which residents can exercise and enjoy nature-becomes increasingly important for well-being. However, such projects are very expensive, and there is little information on their return of investment. Policymakers are seeking ways to create cross-sectorial synergies that might improve both quality of urban life and health. In a rapidly urbanizing world, reclaiming green space through deck parks can bring health benefits alongside economic savings over the long term. Savings were realized for 84% of Monte Carlo simulations.Ĭonclusions. Implementation of a deck park over sunken parts of Cross-Bronx Expressway appeared to save both lives and money. We estimated both the quality-adjusted life years gained and the societal costs for 2017. We built a microsimulation model that included increased exercise, fewer accidents, and less pollution as well as the cost of implementation and maintenance of the park. Using the Cross-Bronx Expressway in New York City as a case study, we explored the cost-effectiveness of implementing deck parks. To examine health benefits and cost-effectiveness of implementing a freeway deck park to increase urban green space.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |