New Opportunities for Urban Freeways

Why did you choose to pursue graduate education in planning?

I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in May 2020. After graduating at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown, I did not have a job and was living with my parents. I decided to join an AmeriCorps program and move to a city that I have never been to—Milwaukee. In the 2020-2021 academic year, I mentored and tutored Milwaukee Public School students as part of an AmeriCorps program called City Year Milwaukee. Through AmeriCorps training, I learned and observed the significant impact of urban structure on communities. Milwaukee, like many other urban areas in the United States, was built with a structure rooted in racism, leaving segments of cities disproportionately burdened socially, economically, and environmentally. My service in City Year Milwaukee prompted me to seek out more information about systemic injustices and the role of urban planning in mitigating those challenges.

What planning subject or area most interests you?

I am most interested in the history of the U.S. Interstate Highway System in the urban context and the recent reevaluation of its effectiveness, efficiency, and the damage it inflicted on neighborhoods. It is fascinating to see photos of Milwaukee and other cities prior to the development of the interstate system in the late 1940s compared with how they appear today. In so many ways, the interstate system has defined the urban fabric and perpetuated segregation of U.S. cities. Milwaukee in particular offers a stark example of the damage that freeways caused. This is most notable on Interstate 43, immediately west of the Milwaukee County Courthouse. In this case, the highway created a gap separating a predominantly Black community immediately west of Westtown. This troubling history isn’t unique to Milwaukee, but other U.S. cities have made progress in mending these gaps. The subject is one of our biggest historical mistakes as planners, but also one of the very best opportunities for redressing the damage moving forward.

What opportunities does your program provide to engage with the community and fellow students?

The Masters of Urban Planning (MUP) program and the School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP) provide many opportunities to engage with the community and fellow students. One example of this engagement is the Innovative City Lectures series hosted by SARUP. This series brings four speakers from the community and from across the country to speak on planning- related topics each semester. Another example more specific to MUP is the Milwaukee Student Planning Association (MSPA), which is open to all SAURP students to join. MSPA is a student- run organization that hosts networking events, social gatherings, and community events for students pursuing careers in planning. This includes beginning and end-of-year picnics, volunteer events, networking opportunities, holiday gatherings, and monthly socials/check-ins.

Finally, not only do MUP and SARUP provide engagement opportunities through organizations and events, but classes in the program are community-focused, with opportunities
in almost every class to engage with the community. For example, in MUP’s third-semester curriculum, the Planning Policy Analysis course has students work in small teams to solve the real problems of actual clients from the Milwaukee community.

What advice would you offer someone considering a master’s degree in planning?

Pursuing a master’s degree in planning requires immersing yourself in the subject and community. Think about what makes you passionate about urban planning and seek out a degree program in a location where you can study that topic. Additionally, start reading up on the topics that interest you prior to beginning your degree. Some planning books that are highly recommended are The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein, The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs, and Evicted by Matthew Desmond. Reading these books will give your passion for planning some momentum to begin a master’s program.

What do you hope to do after completing your degree?

I am halfway through my third semester in the MUP program, on schedule to graduate in May 2023. After graduating, I hope to continue making meaningful connections in the Milwaukee community and continue to learn about planning through those connections.