One of the most important reasons for the first comprehensive zoning ordinance in new york city was to prevent congestion of the streets, especially fifth avenue, by regulating the traffic-generating capacity of the users. The use of zoning is suggested as one method helpful to control the traffic-generating capacity of the land use. The common practice in most american cities has been to allocate too much land for commercial uses. The indiscriminate commercial zoning of major street frontage prevents the development of a rational land-use pattern. The traffic- generating capacity of the land use is one of primary criteria applied when developing a list of uses that are to be permitted in the various use districts. Zoning ordinances can be structured to contain the minimum safety features required in the construction and development of each commercial land use in accordance with its traffic- generating capacity. Another primary objective of zoning is to segregate incompatible land uses. It is suggested that a multiple and coordinated study be conducted to deal with the traffic congestion problem. We need increased capacity to move people and goods in the existing street system as well as in the new traffic corridors and a balanced transportation system is needed, including rapid transit.
Abstract