There is no freedom without the freedom to move, according to Charles T. Brown, author of the new book “Arrested Mobility: Overcoming the Threat to Black Movement.”

Brown, who is also the founder of the firm Equitable Cities, shows how Black Americans’ movement has been curtailed by design, and why “infrastructure over enforcement” is the path to safety, dignity and a truly free city for everyone.

In this episode, Next City Editorial Director Deonna Anderson talks with Brown about “Arrested Mobility” as the systemic restriction of Black movement through over-policing, disinvestment, exclusionary planning and discriminatory policy. That includes running highways through the center of Black neighborhoods. And he explains why so-called race-neutral approaches only entrench inequality. 

“If we just move the highway or we cap the highway, but we don't consider sort of restorative or reparative investment in returning what was taken from people, then what we do is we risk sort of replacing one form of harm with another,” he says.

Brown argues for shifting the focus from punitive traffic enforcement to things like street design because, he says, un-arresting mobility for Black people ultimately strengthens safety and opportunity for all. 

Listen to the episode below or subscribe to the Next City podcast on Apple, Spotify or Goodpods.

This post was originally published on Next City.