Michael Tewes (Bilingual edition): Auto Land Scape

Highways are more than just traffic routes; they are symbols of speed and mobility. Photographer Michael Tewes dedicates this volume to the roads that have carved paths across our country and through its nature, showcasing them as architectural building forms in their own right. The result of a six-year project, the monograph is published in parallel with an exhibition at the Deutsches Museum in Munich.

Format: Hardback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: Hatje Cantz

Highways are much more than just traffic routes; they are emblems of speed and mobility. In the 1930s, Germany used them for propaganda purposes. Today, they are essential infrastructures. In this book, photographer Michael Tewes focuses on the roads that have relentlessly cut paths across our country and through its natural beauty, as well as their unique architectural features. Rather than just a passing point for people on their way to a destination, Tewes brings the highway into our conscious perception and presents it as an architectural building form in its own right. This monograph is the culmination of a six-year project and is published in conjunction with the exhibition at the Deutsches Museum in Munich.

The highway has a long and complex history, dating back to the early days of motorization. In the 1930s, Germany was one of the first countries to build a comprehensive network of highways, known as the Autobahn. The Autobahn was designed to promote the use of cars and to facilitate the movement of goods and people across the country. The highways were also used for propaganda purposes, as the **** regime wanted to showcase the strength and efficiency of the German economy.

Today, highways are essential infrastructures that support economic growth and development. They provide a fast and efficient means of transportation, allowing people and goods to move quickly and easily from one place to another. Highways also play a crucial role in emergency response and disaster relief efforts, as they provide a vital link for emergency services to reach affected areas.

In addition to their functional purposes, highways also have a significant impact on the environment. They contribute to air pollution, noise pollution, and habitat loss, as they require large amounts of land and infrastructure. However, there are also efforts to address these environmental concerns, such as the use of green technologies and the development of sustainable transportation systems.

One of the most striking features of highways is their architectural design. Highways are designed to be efficient and safe, but they can also be beautiful and inspiring. Many highways feature iconic structures, such as bridges, tunnels, and viaducts, that are designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

In this book, photographer Michael Tewes focuses on the architectural features of highways. He explores the different types of highways, including freeways, expressways, and toll roads, and the unique designs and features of each. Tewes also showcases the different materials used in highway construction, such as concrete, asphalt, and steel, and the ways in which these materials are used to create beautiful and durable structures.

One of the most impressive features of highways is their scale. Highways can span hundreds of miles, and they can be built in a variety of environments, from urban areas to rural landscapes. They can also be designed to accommodate a wide range of traffic types, from cars and trucks to buses and bicycles.

Another important aspect of highways is their impact on the economy. Highways provide a vital link for businesses and industries to transport goods and materials from one place to another. They also support tourism and recreation, as they provide easy access to popular destinations and attractions.

However, highways also have negative impacts on the environment and society. They contribute to air pollution, noise pollution, and habitat loss, as they require large amounts of land and infrastructure. They can also contribute to traffic congestion and accidents, as they are often used for commuting and leisure activities.

To address these negative impacts, there are a number of strategies that can be used. One of the most effective strategies is to design highways that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. This can include the use of green technologies, such as electric cars and hybrid vehicles, and the development of sustainable transportation systems, such as public transportation and bike lanes.

Another strategy is to improve the management and operation of highways. This can include the use of traffic management systems, such as smart traffic lights and traffic cameras, to reduce traffic congestion and accidents. It can also include the use of toll roads and congestion pricing to encourage the use of alternative transportation options and to reduce the impact of traffic on the environment.

In conclusion, highways are much more than just traffic routes; they are symbols of speed and mobility, essential infrastructures that support economic growth and development, and beautiful and inspiring architectural features. However, they also have negative impacts on the environment and society. To address these negative impacts, it is important to design highways that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly, to improve the management and operation of highways, and to encourage the use of alternative transportation options. By doing so, we can ensure that highways continue to be a vital part of our transportation system for generations to come.

Weight: 1742g
Dimension: 292 x 306 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783775751704