Abstract
For a long time past activities have been carried out alongside many roads through small urban centres. All these activities can be summarized as waiting or staying. But these roads also form the connection with other centres. The increase of motorized traffic has altered the aspect and the appearance strongly by the intensification of the traffic function of such roads. Is it possible to reconcile these contradictory functions of traffic and of staying? The most logical solution is a road outside the centre or a diversion road. The construction of such a road is not always easy to justify; the costs are much higher than the benefits. Some possible solutions are discussed.