The effects of reducing car traffic and encouraging 'green' traffic on the economies of a city are traced. By facilitating green traffic, environment improvement occurs and the economy of the area can be enhanced. Results of the 1988 cross-European study 'Quality Streets' are used in illustration. Spending by mode is examined with information from towns such as Birmingham, Halifax, Slough, Bromley, East Ham, Kensington, Freiburg, Hannover and Stuttgart showing amount spent and mode of transport used. A similar study is shown for towns in the West Midlands. Bus users were found to contribute at least 41% of spending although amount spent was generally 50-70% of car user spending. Factors affecting the splits studied included affluence, transport available, size of town and proximity of residential areas. Measures to promote or prevent use of an urban centre are considered. The effect of major traffic restraint measures and their broad effect on the economy are then examined including the provision of improved public transport, the effect of car parking provision and pedestrianisation and traffic calming. Level of parking provision was found to be irrelevant but public transport accessibility was found to be vital in 10 German towns. The effects of traffic restraint on land values and rents, employment and attraction of the city centre are also briefly considered.
Abstract