Bald Cypress knees act as pneumatophores, and are a reactive structure resulting when the roots are submerged or in low-O2 environments (certain soil structures, etc.) as noted in the past by ecomorphological observations, and more recently, by research. Noting that they can lift concrete slabs does not indicate otherwise... in fact, quite the opposite. The tree has no sensory organs or neurological function to analyze data, it merely sends out roots and is biochemically reactive to the environment it discovers... more of what it needs, it reacts by increasing root growth in that area, less of what it needs, it keeps sending the existing root out further. The low-O2 environment under the slab can trigger the production of the knees, which in turn causes the slab to rise and crack.
In good soils, and without constant flooding or "wet feet", the trees don't produce the knees. For example, here in Nebraska, they only do it when they're near creeks and rivers and in the flood plain that is subject to frequent flooding. Despite what people think, they tolerate flooding but look their best when they're not living in those conditions. They are also surprisingly drought tolerant. In the three drought years we had here, beginning in 2012, our Bald Cypress trees all survived with no lasting ill effects. Their growth was slow those years, but that's it. The trees were not irrigated and relied entirely on available rainfall.
The trees are beautiful, and very tolerant of a variety of conditions and soils. Unfortunetly, people plant them without considering what impact the soil and conditions will have on the tree's growth. The tree is not evil, the guy who planted it without researching the trees first is at fault. In this area, both the parks and the golf courses plant them extensively, without any problems with the knees.