Systemic Causes and Impacts of Stockton’s Crosstown Freeway on Asian American Communities

In partnership with the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS), CNK recently published a report regarding the systemic causes and consequences of Stockton Crosstown freeway’s construction on Asian American communities. Using a mixed-methods approach, the project investigates how spatial reconstruction, through connected freeway and urban renewal programs, such as the Stockton’s Crosstown Freeway were racially biased, harming many vibrant Asian American enclaves.

Historically, many instances of xenophobia and racial discrimination placed Asian American enclaves like Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Manila subject to “slum clearance” to justify these choices of freeway routes.

“Because of long-standing economic and political marginalization, Asian Americans were relatively powerless to prevent the destruction; nonetheless, they fought to build affordable housing for their people, protect and in some cases relocate cultural institutions, and support surviving ethnic businesses. In the long run, Stockton failed to revitalize its downtown, while destroying its cultural diversity. The findings can help reform and improve professional practice within the transportation arena to ensure racial fairness and equity,” the research team concludes.

Full research report: Stockton’s Crosstown Freeway, Urban Renewal, and Asian Americans: Systemic Causes and Impacts

Policy Brief: Impacts of Freeway Sitting on Stockton’s Asian American Community

StoryMap: Bulldozing Asian Communities: Freeway Construction and Urban Renewal in Stockton

Zocalo Article: What Happened to Stockton’s First Asian Enclaves?