Bridgeport, CT

[KCasiglio]

Lol that there's no thread for CT's largest city.

Came across this paper this morning that focuses on Bridgeport: “There’s nothing left to tax”: the effects of automobility on the downtowns of America’s mid-size cities 1913–2013

Inside the paper is a graphic showing the land use in the city before and after being torn apart by I-95 and CT-8

Bridgeport has a lot of natural advantages going for it (coastal, rail infrastructure, proximity to NYC), but it will take a long time and a lot of political will to restore the urban fabric that was lost. Small lots, small blocks on a grid, density.

 

[Lrfox]

Thanks for sharing this. I knew Bridgeport's downtown area was walled off from the rest of the city on all sides which is problematic in and of itself. But those land use maps are absolutely killer. What a mess.

 

[bdurden]

Drove through Bridgeport on a Saturday morning and the only person to speak of was a gentleman at the crosswalk wearing a vest that said “Downtown Ambassador.” He seemed genuinely intrigued as to why I was there.