Auto-centric

Auto-centric describes a system, culture, or viewpoint that prioritizes automobiles and their use above other modes of transportation, urban planning, and environmental concerns. It often leads to infrastructure development heavily reliant on cars, sprawling suburbanization, and a neglect of pedestrian, cycling, and public transit options. This prioritization can also influence social behaviors and norms, creating a dependence on personal vehicles for daily activities, which can also have significant economic and environmental consequences. The auto-centric model generally focuses on the driver's needs and ease, often at the expense of accessibility, community interaction, and sustainability. It's the philosophy of car-centric design.

Auto-centric meaning with examples

• Many North American cities have an auto-centric layout. Wide highways and ample parking spaces dominate the landscape, while sidewalks and bike lanes are often poorly maintained or non-existent. This design forces residents to rely heavily on cars for even short trips, contributing to congestion and pollution and limiting people from easily walking and biking and using other transport
• The developers' plan for the new town was heavily auto-centric. The project featured extensive road networks and generous parking, but showed little consideration for public transport links, cycle paths, or pedestrian-friendly zones. This focus effectively made the town inaccessible for those without cars or with limited driving ability, further widening the gap between the rich and the poor, who frequently can't afford cars.
• The decline of inner-city life in some areas can be attributed to the prevalence of auto-centric urban planning during the mid-20th century. Suburbanization spread as more people had cars and were able to escape the city and it became easier to travel across greater distances to shop. This change left many town centers in a state of economic decline
• Advocates for sustainable development often criticize auto-centric transportation policies, highlighting their negative impact on air quality, carbon emissions, and urban sprawl. They suggest that it is a dated concept, which places personal vehicles ahead of public transportation and can often increase air pollution, leading to respiratory health issues and other environmental issues. The automobile takes precedence over the well-being of people and the environment.