The Oil Drum

75 comments on Tar Sands vs. Asphalt: Round 1

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lpetrazickis on February 2, 2008 - 1:26pm

I'm quite skeptical of planned cities. They tend to miss the boat on mixed-use development -- retail on the first floor, residential above. That's a very successful urban form, and one used along avenues in most old streetcar suburbs.

Intentionally non-gridiron, non-rectilinear streets also seem ill-advised. Non-straight streets seem to increase the amount of walking required and the amount of pavement needed.

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Kiashu on February 2, 2008 - 7:23pm

I'm quite skeptical of planned cities. They tend to miss the boat on mixed-use development -- retail on the first floor, residential above.

By an amazing coincidence, that's exactly what is suggested in the plan.

If interested in such things, you should visit carfree.com. It may astound you, but people can't give their entire plan for reorganising cities and societies in a comment on an article on a website. They need at least a few pages.:)

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Will Stewart on February 3, 2008 - 12:36pm

Intentionally non-gridiron, non-rectilinear streets also seem ill-advised. Non-straight streets seem to increase the amount of walking required and the amount of pavement needed.

As much of the foot travel is to and from the center of the district, a radial pattern is more desireable. Absolutely straight streets everywhere can take a bit of human scale away from an urban design, and the wedges of a radial shape are so narrow at the center as to reduce efficiency of space.

Curved or otherwise non-straight avenues can create more of a sense of 'here', and intrigue one as to the view around the corner.

From the Carfree Cities Design Elements page.