Expanding expectations and a finite planet create great environmental challenges for the earth and its inhabitants. This blog explores the expansion of transportation infrastructure, and the associated socio-environmental impacts. Currently, human urges to access land, resources, and other humans drive the propagation of roads and railways. Human access almost inevitably causes ecological disturbance and social change. Furthermore, once a transportation corridor exists, little impedes the import and application of additional corridors. In this sense, a transportation corridor begets transportation networks. At the same time, these transportation networks serve as vital arteries for economic development and human well-being.

How can development and conservation then be reconciled? Are roads or railways preferable? This is a capstone course for seniors of Environmental Studies at the University of Richmond. We will use our interdisciplinary training to cooperatively engage the environmental challenge of infrastructure expansion. Our work spans from the spring semester of 2012 (January-April).

You can read more about the Environmental Studies Major at the University of Richmond here.  Please contact our instructor, Dr. Salisbury, with questions about the blog at dsalisbu@richmond.edu.  Blog designed by K.M. 2012.