Historical Forces of Transportation and Mobility
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Nothing has helped shape the development more intensely than the James River. The waterway helped connect the city to the colonial settlements of Jamestown and Williamsburg, which allowed for Richmond’s prominence to be established at an early time. The fertile soil also helped establish the city’s preeminent economic force over the next 200 years; tobacco. Development-wise, the River has acted as a barrier for growth, as the southern areas of the city have constantly lagged behind the northern parts, due to the later annexation.
While the James River fueled the early development of the city, it’s limitations in size and navigability never propelled Richmond into the level of river-city like Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, or St. Louis. Following the Civil War, the invention of the electric trolley system in 1888 helped establish the first-ring suburban neighborhoods. Looking at the 2015 development pattern, a lot of the city’s population is centered around the former trolley lines. Following the Interstate Highway Act, the 1950’s and 60’s ushered in a new development catalyst, the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and Interstate 64. These highways helped link Richmond to major cities in the northeast, while simultaneously channeling suburban development north and west of the city.
Interstate 64 has replaced the James River as the primary transportation connection between Greater Richmond and the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. The defining aspect of tobacco helped shape current day economic status and demographics of the city, as slave labor played an integral part in the cultivation of the crop. The streetcar system has also helped dictate how the highway system was laid out through the region, as the prominent Broad Street corridor became aligned with Interstate 64.
While the James River fueled the early development of the city, it’s limitations in size and navigability never propelled Richmond into the level of river-city like Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, or St. Louis. Following the Civil War, the invention of the electric trolley system in 1888 helped establish the first-ring suburban neighborhoods. Looking at the 2015 development pattern, a lot of the city’s population is centered around the former trolley lines. Following the Interstate Highway Act, the 1950’s and 60’s ushered in a new development catalyst, the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike and Interstate 64. These highways helped link Richmond to major cities in the northeast, while simultaneously channeling suburban development north and west of the city.
Interstate 64 has replaced the James River as the primary transportation connection between Greater Richmond and the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. The defining aspect of tobacco helped shape current day economic status and demographics of the city, as slave labor played an integral part in the cultivation of the crop. The streetcar system has also helped dictate how the highway system was laid out through the region, as the prominent Broad Street corridor became aligned with Interstate 64.
Centralization/Decentralization
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Richmond has only had a slight shift in centrality, and this occurred during the early development of the city. In 1742, the original borders of Richmond only included the Shockoe Bottom neighborhood which today, is the neighborhood just adjacent to the central business district to the southeast. The city’s next annexation 17 years later in 1769 encompasses what is now the heart of downtown Richmond. The Virginia State Capital was built in this section in 1785, and has remained the epicenter of the Richmond Metropolitan Area for over 200 years. Now this is not to say that Richmond has not expanded over time; as the electric trolley system built in 1888 helped establish many of the city’s concentric residential neighborhoods and first-ring suburbs. However, from an economic and visual standpoint, downtown Richmond maintains the largest concentration of industry in the region, which is illustrated by the peak of skyscrapers.
While downtown Richmond has maintained its role as the regional hub for hundreds of years, some important infrastructure projects have helped shaped the suburban growth patterns of the city. Broad Street, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, and early trolley line, helped define the early 20th century expansion patterns of the city northeast of downtown. Areas like the Fan and Carytown developed during this time, and Virginia Commonwealth University helped serve as a main anchor institution. In 1957, the construction of Interstate 64 which linked the city to St. Louis, helped further establish the eastern suburbs. The Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike built in 1955, helped channel growth to the northern and southern edges of the city. Major tourist attractions like the Kings Dominion Amusement Park and the Richmond International Speedway are located north of downtown.
While downtown Richmond has maintained its role as the regional hub for hundreds of years, some important infrastructure projects have helped shaped the suburban growth patterns of the city. Broad Street, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, and early trolley line, helped define the early 20th century expansion patterns of the city northeast of downtown. Areas like the Fan and Carytown developed during this time, and Virginia Commonwealth University helped serve as a main anchor institution. In 1957, the construction of Interstate 64 which linked the city to St. Louis, helped further establish the eastern suburbs. The Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike built in 1955, helped channel growth to the northern and southern edges of the city. Major tourist attractions like the Kings Dominion Amusement Park and the Richmond International Speedway are located north of downtown.