The Road to a Cleaner and Greener New York: A Conversation on Congestion Pricing
Nicole Gelinas, author of Movement: New York’s Long War to Take Back Its Streets from the Car, recently shared her insights with editors Ben Max of New York Law School and Harry Siegel of THE CITY.
Fighting Against Street-Cars and Congestion
Gelinas begins her account by talking about the mayors who opposed the street-car system, which once transported millions of New Yorkers every year. This sets the stage for discussing the current debates surrounding congestion pricing, a toll on vehicles that enter Manhattan.
The Promise of Congestion Pricing
Gelinas believes that congestion pricing has the potential to address some of New York City’s most pressing environmental and infrastructure concerns. By creating a financial disincentive to drive into the most congested areas of Manhattan, the program aims to reduce air pollution and improve traffic flow.
The Challenges to Implementing Congestion Pricing
However, Gelinas is well aware that getting big initiatives like congestion pricing off the ground is no easy task. There are many bureaucratic and logistical hurdles to overcome before the program can become a reality. From gaining public support to negotiating with parking garages and taxi companies, there are numerous obstacles to surmount.
The Ghost of Robert Moses: Lessons Learned and Unlearned
The legacy of Robert Moses, New York City’s former parks and construction commissioner, looms large over many current debates about transportation and urban development. Gelinas sees Moses as both a visionary who helped shape modern New York, but also someone who prioritized car-friendly development at the expense of public transit and pedestrian access. She suggests that city planners today would do well to remember the lessons both of Moses’s successes and failures.
Congestion Pricing: The Key to a Brighter Future
In her conversation with Ben Max and Harry Siegel, Gelinas acknowledges the challenges, but remains hopeful about the potential for congestion pricing to transform the city. Whether or not that potential is ultimately realized will depend on the dedication of city planners, policymakers, and the general public to building a more sustainable and livable New York City.
