This paper discusses the idea of an outward movement of traffic restraint, from the historic town centres of Central Europe to urban peripheries, and then to the periphery of Europe. This question raises much broader issues about traffic growth generally, and about the kind of cities that we wish to live in. A considerable number of European cities responded to the survey on these issues, sent out as part of the preparation for the Car-Free Cities Conference in Amsterdam in March 1994. Examples are given of how to extend aspects of urban car restraint to areas outside the central business district. Although details vary in different cities, there seems to be a definite pattern. This is as follows: (1) limited pedestrianisation of central urban space; (2) interest in extending the actual area of part or full pedestrianisation; (3) interest in extending traffic calming to residential and suburban areas, and in more limited pedestrian zones in local suburban shopping centres. The following topics are also discussed: (1) the effects of previous schemes on current urban traffic patterns; (2) the fact that traffic growth is slower on the most congested roads; (3) relevant cultural and civic factors; (4) traffic reduction. The current policy debate covers: (1) urban areas; (2) rural areas and bypasses; (3) the interaction between urban traffic restraint and national road networks. This paper was presented at the "Car Free Cities" conference, Amsterdam, 24-25 March 1994.
Abstract