[In this week’s Memphis Flyer, I wrote about Memphis’ new outer loop, I-269. For the next few days, I’ll be posting extra maps and graphics that go along with that story.]
For a presentation to the Memphis City Council, consultant John Lawrence prepared several maps that plotted retail development against highway construction.
“People can argue that [highway expansion] isn’t the only reason [for sprawl], and that’s true: crime, education, old homes — there are a million arguments,” he said. “But there is no question that where people have moved and built has followed some type of road expansion.”
In the paper, we showcased two of his maps, one from 1964 and one from 2009. But to see a more clear progression, all one has to do is view retail development in 10 year intervals.
