The above youtube video is about a project completed in a
neighborhood in Utrect, Netherlands. The
neighborhood was built in the 1960’s with wide streets with parking on each
side. The wide streets encouraged
drivers to meet or exceed the 50 kph speed limit. Recently the area received a modern update to
make this neighborhood’s streets more people friendly. The design includes slashing the vehicle
right of way in half and using the addition space for larger sidewalks and tree
plantings, reducing the speed limit to 30kph and closing a few of the streets
to through traffic. Speed humps were
installed to calm traffic and serve as raised pedestrian crossings. The neighborhood’s streets have been updated
to 21st century residential street standards where all users feel
safe.
Updating residential streets with all users in mind is a
concept more engineers in Southern California need to embrace. The millennial generation sees transportation
options as freedom, not owning an automobile.
There are a lot of residential neighborhoods in Long Beach with wide
residential streets where drivers drive too fast. These concepts should also apply in school
zones. Slowing the traffic is important
when children are around, especially when they are riding their bicycles. These concepts also make the street-scape a
more inviting place. These design
elements makes this neighborhood more inviting and a place where people want to
live.
No comments:
Post a Comment