Differential Influence of an Interstate Highway on the Structure, Growth and Development of Low-Income Minority Communities: A Comparison with Majority Communities

摘要

The location and operation of highways and other transportation facilities in economically disadvantaged minority communities have generally resulted in social, economic, and environmental consequences that have not been scientifically measured and reported in the existing body of research literature. The major areas of impact are thought to include land use, population and residential densities, the growth and development of minority business enterprises, housing quality and type, the general quality of living space, traffic patterns, street types and conditions, and various social activity patterns. An inventory of demographic, economic, and physical characteristics of a predominantly black community in Scotlandville, Louisiana was prepared as part of an earlier study of pre-highway conditions. Using the inventory as a baseline, the study documents the changes resulting from the construction of a major highway bypass in the community. The findings of the Scotlandville research are compared to other studies of highway impacts in majority communities and larger urban areas to determine the degree to which low-income or minority communities may experience unique impacts.