Skip to content

Streetfilms: Fixing the Great Mistake of Planning for Cars

"Fixing the Great Mistake" is a new Streetfilms series that examines what went wrong in the early part of the 20th century, when our cities began catering to the automobile, and how those decisions continue to affect our lives today.
FTGMlogo4web

“Fixing the Great Mistake” is a new Streetfilms series that
examines what went wrong in the early part of the 20th century, when
our cities began catering to the automobile, and how those decisions
continue to affect our lives today.

In
this episode, Transportation Alternatives director Paul Steely White
shows how planning for cars drastically altered Park Avenue. Watch and
see what Park Avenue used to look like, how we ceded it to the
automobile, and what we need to do to reclaim the street as a space
where people take precedence over traffic.

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘Unacceptable’: Mamdani Condemns Super Speeder Cop, But Won’t Commit to Action

April 24, 2026

City Officials Shrug at NYPD Cop’s Reckless Driving As Advocates Push ‘Stop Super Speeders’ Bill

April 24, 2026

Friday Video(s): Kidical Mass, Night-Biking in Tokyo, and More

April 24, 2026

That Widely Misrepresented E-Mobility Study Actually Reveals Need For Safer Streets, Not Hysteria

April 24, 2026
See all posts