The greenway is a modern twist on an outdated concept. Ancient cities sprung up around trade routes. Many modern US cities were originally formed according to access to a local train station or navigable river. Today’s metropolises were brought to success by an advanced highway system. All of these circumstances were brought about by two prevailing factors, location and traffic. In a post-modern world however, when the infrastructure has been laid and a consumer society comes to live for a variety of new reasons how can these concepts be applied. The answer lies, partially at least, within the recent push for a developed greenway system.
From rural areas to bustling cities, the introduction of greenways has been proven to increase foot traffic and bring economic growth to an area. Communities across the United States are taking notice of the environmental, political and economic advantages of greenways and their advocacy and popularity has grown quickly in recent years. A number of these Greenways are structured around either current or decayed and unused infrastructure and either is credited with re-greening an area.
