Sterility of urban freeway versus vibracy of pedestian street

The above is a video of a freeway in New York City. It is goes on for seven minutes, which is too long.
Compare this with a pedestrial street scene with people stopping, talking, looking and enjoying the area. This freeway embodies the sterility and mechanical nature of movement in most cities around the globe. Capitalistic societies have reduced the commute from insulated domitory suburbs to isolated work places by private insulated vehicles on montonous freeways. When stated in this manner, the image is grim. Is this also the future of our urban environments?