This thesis makes a comparative analysis of two Swedish new towns in terms of pedestrian design. The two communities, Kista and Skarpnäck are located within the Stockholm urban area. While both communities are comparable in population size, they are different with their approach to pedestrian design. Kista's design adapts the strict functionalistic forms, primarily with its separation between pedestrian and vehicular networks. In constrast, Skarpnäck's gridiron form integrates vehicular and pedestrian networks. The study begins by introducing the physical and social problems that have evolved in the United States due to an emphasis in planning for the automobile. It then explores some of the attempts that have been made in designing for better communities, with an emphasis on the pedestrian. It traces the history of the new town movement, from its beginnings in Britain and later the United States, to present day Sweden. It then describes and makes a comparative analysis of the pedestrian design systems in the two Swedish new towns. It concludes by asking the questions: Who are the users and what are their needs ? How have the two new towns responded to those needs ? and finally, How well has the design of the pedestrian systems worked in response to the original goals ?
Abstract