How Cities Should Frame the Way They Think About Mobility
The evidence that our transportation systems are producing less-than-optimal results speaks for itself -- whether it's grinding congestion, obscene traffic fatality rates, or the greenhouse gases we're spewing into the atmosphere at catastrophic rates.
The situation warrants a new take on how cities approach mobility, writes Mikael Colville-Andersen today at Copenhagenize:
For almost a century we have been asking the same question in our cities.
"How many cars can we move down a street?"
It's time to change the question.
If you ask "How many PEOPLE can we move down a street?", the answer becomes much more modern and visionary. And simple. Oh, and cheaper.
With urbanisation on the rapid rise, we need to think big. Think modern. We need to travel Back to the Future for the solutions that will serve our growing populations best. Cycle tracks. Trams. Wider sidewalks. It's all right there for the taking if we dare to take it.
Elsewhere on the Network today: Strong Towns explains how Memphis is trying to fix its sprawl problem by increasing street connectivity. Streets.mn goes into the practical limitations of Nice Ride bike-share in the Twin Cities. And The Black Urbanist ponders how "urban" and "suburban" are often misapplied as racial euphemisms.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Friday’s Headlines Are Down on Highways
Two outlets recently featured articles on the harmful effects of ongoing freeway projects.
Commentary: There is Zero Ambiguity to the West Portal Tragedy
What happened in West Portal was entirely predictable and preventable. The city must now close Ulloa to through traffic and make sure it can never happen again.
Talking Headways Podcast: Details of Development Reform in Minnesota, Part I
Jim Kumon of Electric Housing discusses his work as a developer and urban policy educator in the Twin Cities.
Thursday’s Headlines Don’t Like Riding on the Passenger Side
Can you take me to the store, and then the bank? I've got five dollars you can put in the tank.
Study: When Speed Limits Rise on Interstates, So Do Crash Hot Spots on Nearby Roads
Rising interstate speeds don't just make roads deadlier for people who drive on them — and local decision makers need to be prepared.
