Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
South Korea's Cheonggyecheon stream and park used to be a highway. Photo: ##https://www.flickr.com/photos/25869929@N03/2468502996##Michael Sotnikov/flickr##
South Korea's Cheonggyecheon stream and park used to be a highway. Photo: ##https://www.flickr.com/photos/25869929@N03/2468502996##Michael Sotnikov/flickr##
false

Quick quiz: What city is the world leader in highway teardowns? San Francisco? Portland? Madrid?

Wrong, wrong, wrong. It's Seoul, South Korea, which has removed 15 urban highways -- and is about to remove another. In this week's Talking Headways episode, Jeff and I talk about what can take the place of a freeway in a city and why it's worth it.

We also debunk the argument, made in Atlantic Cities and the Washington Post last week, that promoting car access will benefit people with low incomes. The whole concept is based on a study that basically said that in the 90s you needed a car to get around the suburbs. Not exactly a persuasive justification for automobile subsidies in today's cities.

We wander down Saffron Avenue and Nutmeg Lane to investigate whether it's true that cities are losing their smell -- and whether that's really such a bad thing. Then we accidentally trip into a conversation about pheromones and good-smelling men.

What's your favorite smell in your city? Let us know in the comments.

We're working on getting the podcast available on Stitcher, which apparently is a thing that exists, but for now you can subscribe on iTunes or follow the RSS feed.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

New UCLA Report Looks into the High Cost to Build Parking

For new apartments, the research found that building required parking adds roughly $50,000 to $100,000 per unit, and disproportionately increases the cost to build smaller apartments

March 2, 2026

This Week In Livable Streets

Metro NoHo-Pasadena BRT meetings, Westwood Blvd. safety project, Chandler bikeway extension, Metro PSAC, and more

March 2, 2026

Monday’s Headlines

ICE, CicLAvia, Ride that D, large asphalt repair, Long Beach, car insurance, AQMD, Pasadena, Glendale, Wilmington, Black history, car-nage, and more

March 2, 2026

“Disrespectful” and “infuriating”: L.A.’s progress on making streets safe and accessible for disabled people stalled for decades

Curb ramps have been required when repaving a street since 1992. Why is L.A. only now saying it must follow the law?

February 27, 2026

Friday’s Headlines

Metro D Line, Wilmington ped/bike bridge, parking, Carson, Pasadena, oil, WeHo, Downey, car-nage and more

February 27, 2026

SGV Bus Rapid Transit Gets Another $3.9M for Study and Design

Early improvements combine for about 14 miles of continuous bus lanes, expected to be installed in advance of the 2028 Olympic games

February 26, 2026
See all posts