https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/beneath-the-skyway/
For those that don't know, 99% percent invisible is this lib architecture/engineering podcast that has the most smooth brained takes whenever politics is inevitably brought up. I think this episode is the worst in that it's about the Minneapolis Sky Bridges and the systemic race and class issues surrounding what is a good piece of public infrastructure. Essentially Minneapolis has a bunch of indoor pedestrian bridges connecting buildings together because it's cold outside. What went from a mere mall attraction expanded into a network of buildings connected by skyways, it's a legitimate public good however being America it's not surprising there was some racial and class disparities that arose from this project.
First off the pedestrians being elevated above the street made the first stories of buildings less valuable, second cars basically had free range on the street below because pedestrians were using the sky bridges, third access to the sky bridges was being restricted by business owners because blacks, youths, and poor people were using them. Now these problems could be solved in a lot of ways, better access to the bridges from street level, make the bridges public property, actually encourage people to use the bridges instead of drive. What was 99% invisible solution? Tear them all down, turn them into aquariums, make the street pedestrian friendly because the bridges are the result of systemic racism.
I'm not denying there was some kind of racism or classism involved with the construction of these bridges, the problem is the bridges are useful to everyone and the only people enforcing the racism are the security guards and business owners. I was expecting some speech about how the walkways should be available to everyone with how useful they were, but nope, let's just destroy a useful piece of public infrastructure because racism. This is your mind on the California mindset, I bet the host took an uber home after recording that. What a shitty fucking take.
It does a good enough job explaining the history of the tunnels but near the end when they start discussing what should be done is when they discuss tearing the whole fucking thing down. It's worth a listen because it's just like a 180, they spend the whole episode explaining why they built them, how useful they are, what problems they face, and they just give the worst possible solution of destroying it and turning them into aquariums.
Like, a network of aquarium tunnels in the sky? And the public funding to provide for adequate upkeep? As simultaneously useless and unrealistic as that is, I would absolutely be in heaven in a city like that.
An aquarium as in they suggesting filling one of the bridges with water so people driving underneath it can see fishes.
unhoused people freezing to death under an aquarium bridge
*the bridge that was turned into an aquarium.
I thought “distracted” driving killed, but if I’m wrong and its “bored” driving that kills, this is gonna save lives (or uh the other one I guess)
Remember we gotta do this to end racism, I don't know how but the man living in California said it would.
I mean, they should absolutely provide food and housing for all and ban cars first, but I would gladly take a government job doing feedings, stocking and water changes for public aquarium attractions incorporated into city spaces. The algae would be a nightmare, but we'd cross that bridge when we come to it. I'm still not saying it's a good idea - just one that would make me, in particular, happy.