Monday, February 2, 2009

Removing Roads and Traffic Lights Speeds Urban Travel

This article, from Scientific American and written by Linda Baker, states that a "controlled chaos" can bring forth efficient changes within transportation planning: in commuting times and improving pedestrian safety.

Similar to Jane Jacobs' argument -- of urban preceding rural areas --, the article introduces a perplexing thesis that allows us a better insight into the natural, human mind and how its relationship to urbanization can allow for improved conditions.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I first heard about this idea from a BBC article about a town in Germany a few years ago. Since then (I have to admit) the concept has become something of a personal metaphor for me.

In a literal sense, I also really love the concept. It shows the dependency we urbanites can have on "signs" for safety, and yet they reassign personal responsibility in the social contract, don't they?