roadsTaken: Methodology | Baker Institute [Video]

This methodology explains how “roadsTaken,” which documents the history of highway planning, construction, and displacement in Houston, Texas, was designed and displayed.

In recent years, the impact of the United States’ first round of freeway construction has become a topic of extensive study. However, no project has yet attempted a systematic accounting of the residents displaced by these freeways. It is understandable why, as even studies of more recent events have struggled to accurately count displaced residents.^[1] Understanding exactly who was displaced and the reasons behind these displacements is essential as our society continues to grapple with the legacy of systemic racism and urban renewal in our cities. This is especially true for policymakers, who are now being asked to address and correct perceived past injustices while ensuring future urban highway projects are equitable and well-planned.

Unfortunately, records on right-of-way clearance and displacement due to freeway construction are often incomplete or missing from archives. …