Toledo Tomorrow: reading Norman Bel Geddes' vision for the future in a shrinking Midwestern City

Today's Toledo, a shrinking Midwestern city, reflects the lasting impact of Norman Bel Geddes' 1945 urban plan, 'Toledo Tomorrow.' This study reveals how Geddes' focus on highway infrastructure and neglect of the historic core, combined with forces of decentralization and suburbanization, has shaped the city's morphology. The research retrospectively surveys Toledo's changes and critically analyzes the plan's influence, highlighting its role in weakening the city's connection to its natural features and broader region.

Shetty, S., & Luescher, A. (2016). Toledo Tomorrow: reading Norman Bel Geddes’ vision for the future in a shrinking Midwestern City. Journal of Urban Design, 21(2), 177–194. https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2015.1133227