The idea that neighbourhoods and cities can be designed to change travel behaviour is explored with reference to urban planning in the USA. It is suggested that insufficient is actually known about how the built environment influences travel. Until recently, the emphasis has been on meeting the travel demand of new urban infrastructure, rather than on designing the infrastructure to reduce demand. The planning ideas that comprise New Urbanism are outlined, including mixed land use, reclaiming the street for social and pedestrian use, and creating the appearance of a small historic town. It is questioned whether the behaviour of the residents in these settlements will conform to the aspirations of the planners, whether the new plans will be implemented by municipal authorities, and whether car use would be better reduced by increasing usage costs. It is noted that the risk in using long-lived urban designs to manage today's congestion and air quality problems is that if situations change, if new solutions become available or urban design policies have unanticipated consequences, it is difficult to readjust urban form. Further research is considered necessary.
Abstract