Carfree Cities
Encyclopedia
A carfree city is a population center that relies primarily on public transport
, walking, or cycling
for transport within the urban area
. Carfree cities greatly reduce petroleum dependency, air pollution
, greenhouse emissions
, automobile crashes, noise pollution
, and traffic congestion
. Some cities have one or more districts where motorized vehicles are prohibited, referred to as carfree zones
, districts or areas. Many older cities in Europe, Asia, and Africa evolved long before the advent of the automobile, and some continue to have carfree areas in the oldest parts of the city.
The goal of the Carfree Cities movement is to bring together people from around the world who are promoting practical alternatives to car dependence— walking, cycling, and public transport. The movement seeks ultimately to transform cities, towns, and villages into human-scaled environments rich in public space and community life.
Such transformation is occurring in existing city areas by strategic closures of streets to car traffic and by opening streets and squares to exclusive pedestrian use. A pedestrian and bicycle network gradually emerges and joins several parts of the city. Similarly, prompted by the same need to avoid conflicts with car traffic and enhance pedestrian movement, pedestrian networks have emerged below grade (Underground City
) or above road-level to connect large downtown areas. For new areas on the fringe of cities or new towns, two new complementary ideas have recently emerged. The concept of Filtered Permeability
(2007) and a model for planning towns and subdivisions - the Fused Grid
(2003). Both focus on shifting the balance of network design in favour of pedestrian and bicycle mobility.
The city of Venice
in Italy
serves as a example of how a modern city can function without cars. This design was unintentional as the city was founded over 1,500 years ago, a long time before the invention of the automobile. Visitors who drive to the city or residents who own a car must park their car in a carpark outside of the city and then proceed either by foot or train into the city. The predominant method of transportation in the city is by foot, however most residents travel by motorised waterbuses (vaporetti
) which travel the city's canals.
It's not impossible to imaging a modern planned community being designed around lessons learnt from Venice being founded in the United States
or another country. The waterways could instead be replaced by a network of trains or monorails (both which could be elevated above, below, or alongside pedestrian streets). Rather than wide plain paved roads, pedestrian streets could be of varying size, decorated with gardens, tree boxes, benches, and shopping stalls, and intersections could be turned into public plazas for the local community.
A theoretical design for a carfree city of one million people was first proposed by J.H. Crawford
in 1996 and further refined in his book, Carfree Cities (2000).
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
, walking, or cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
for transport within the urban area
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
. Carfree cities greatly reduce petroleum dependency, air pollution
Air pollution
Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter, or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms, or cause damage to the natural environment or built environment, into the atmosphere....
, greenhouse emissions
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
, automobile crashes, noise pollution
Noise pollution
Noise pollution is excessive, displeasing human, animal or machine-created environmental noise that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life...
, and traffic congestion
Traffic congestion
Traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction...
. Some cities have one or more districts where motorized vehicles are prohibited, referred to as carfree zones
Car-free zone
Pedestrian zones are areas of a city or town reserved for pedestrian only use and in which some or all automobile traffic may be prohibited. They are instituted by communities who feel that it is desirable to have pedestrian-only areas...
, districts or areas. Many older cities in Europe, Asia, and Africa evolved long before the advent of the automobile, and some continue to have carfree areas in the oldest parts of the city.
The goal of the Carfree Cities movement is to bring together people from around the world who are promoting practical alternatives to car dependence— walking, cycling, and public transport. The movement seeks ultimately to transform cities, towns, and villages into human-scaled environments rich in public space and community life.
Such transformation is occurring in existing city areas by strategic closures of streets to car traffic and by opening streets and squares to exclusive pedestrian use. A pedestrian and bicycle network gradually emerges and joins several parts of the city. Similarly, prompted by the same need to avoid conflicts with car traffic and enhance pedestrian movement, pedestrian networks have emerged below grade (Underground City
Underground city
An Underground city is a series of linked subterranean spaces that may provide a defensive refuge; a place for living, working or shopping; a transit system; mausolea; wine or storage cellars; cisterns or drainage channels; or several of these. The term may also refer to a network of tunnels that...
) or above road-level to connect large downtown areas. For new areas on the fringe of cities or new towns, two new complementary ideas have recently emerged. The concept of Filtered Permeability
Permeability (spatial and transport planning)
Permeability or connectivity describes the extent to which urban forms permit movement of people or vehicles in different directions. The terms are often used interchangeably, although differentiated definitions also exist...
(2007) and a model for planning towns and subdivisions - the Fused Grid
Fused Grid
The Fused Grid is a street network pattern first proposed in 2002 and subsequently applied in Calgary, Alberta and in Stratford, Ontario . It represents a synthesis of two well known and extensively used network concepts: the "grid" and the “Radburn” pattern, derivatives of which are found in most...
(2003). Both focus on shifting the balance of network design in favour of pedestrian and bicycle mobility.
The city of Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
serves as a example of how a modern city can function without cars. This design was unintentional as the city was founded over 1,500 years ago, a long time before the invention of the automobile. Visitors who drive to the city or residents who own a car must park their car in a carpark outside of the city and then proceed either by foot or train into the city. The predominant method of transportation in the city is by foot, however most residents travel by motorised waterbuses (vaporetti
Vaporetto
Vaporetto is a waterbus operation. It has a set of 19 scheduled lines that serves locales within Venice, Italy, and travels between Venice and nearby islands, e.g., Murano and Lido. The natives used to call the Vaporetto Batèo...
) which travel the city's canals.
It's not impossible to imaging a modern planned community being designed around lessons learnt from Venice being founded in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
or another country. The waterways could instead be replaced by a network of trains or monorails (both which could be elevated above, below, or alongside pedestrian streets). Rather than wide plain paved roads, pedestrian streets could be of varying size, decorated with gardens, tree boxes, benches, and shopping stalls, and intersections could be turned into public plazas for the local community.
A theoretical design for a carfree city of one million people was first proposed by J.H. Crawford
J.H. Crawford
J.H. Crawford is an American-Dutch writer, theoretician of urban sustainability, originator of the carfree city concept and creator of the original reference design for the carfree city...
in 1996 and further refined in his book, Carfree Cities (2000).
See also
- Car-free movementCar-free movementThe car-free movement is a broad, informal, emergent network of individuals and organizations including social activists, urban planners and others brought together by a shared belief that cars are too dominant in most modern cities...
- List of carfree places
- Car Free DaysCar Free DaysA Car Free Day encourages motorists to give up their car for a day. Organized events are held in some cities and countries. September 22 is World Car Free Day...
- Bicycle CityBicycle CityBicycle City is a planned, car-free communities project with a mission to create sustainable places where people can live, work and visit. Parking is planned to be on the edge of the community near your home....
- VeniceVeniceVenice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...