Motorway-centric

Motorway-centric describes a perspective, plan, or system that prioritizes, emphasizes, or is heavily reliant upon motorways (also known as freeways or expressways). It signifies a focus on road transport and a design or approach where the motorway network forms the central axis for movement, infrastructure, and development. This often implies a reliance on individual car ownership and usage, potentially at the expense of alternative transportation methods like public transport, cycling, or walking. The term can also be used to critique or analyze the societal effects of such an approach, including environmental impact, urban sprawl, and social equity issues. A motorway-centric outlook prioritizes the speed and efficiency of vehicular travel above other considerations and can lead to car-dependent urban planning and lifestyle choices.

Motorway-centric meaning with examples

• The city's motorway-centric development has resulted in severe traffic congestion during peak hours. Their reliance on extensive highway networks has stifled investment in public transport infrastructure, leaving many residents car-dependent and isolated. This plan has exacerbated air pollution and limited sustainable options. It shows the impact that prioritizing motorways has in a big city setting, ultimately damaging the overall feel of it.
• The government’s motorway-centric policy, favoring highway expansions over rail projects, has been heavily criticised by environmental groups and urban planners. They argue that this prioritizes car travel over public transport, increasing carbon emissions and furthering urban sprawl. It shows how motorways were made a priority over others, creating a problem from this focus. This choice has negative consequences for public transport.
• The urban design of the new shopping mall is clearly motorway-centric; its accessibility is geared primarily toward motorists. There are limited pedestrian or cycling connections, and minimal public transport access. The design reflects a prioritisation of vehicle access over other modes of transport, indicating a reliance on the highway network and car-dependent design that favors them greatly.
• Many suburban areas are inherently motorway-centric, designed around the ease of access to and from the highway. Housing developments are often situated far from city centres, dependent on road networks for daily commutes and other activities, which leads to long driving times. It puts priority on motorways and highways, so the people there are restricted to those highways when commuting.