Curbing Traffic

1. Low-Car Cities Prioritize People Over Cars

The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality isn’t really about bicycles. It’s about refusing to sacrifice vast amounts of the public realm to the private automobile; instead reserving space for commerce, community, and social connection.

Reclaiming public space. The core of a "low-car" city is a conscious decision to prioritize people over private automobiles. This involves reallocating public space previously dedicated to cars for other uses, such as commerce, community activities, and social interaction. The ubiquitous bicycles are simply a by-product of that larger process; a tool to achieve the end goal of what policy makers call an autoluw (low-car or nearly car-free) city.

Beyond transportation. This shift goes beyond transportation planning; it's about creating vibrant, livable spaces that foster a sense of community and improve the overall quality of life. This includes:

• Reducing traffic volume and speed
• Creating pedestrian-friendly zones
• Promoting cycling and public transport
• Enhancing public spaces for social interaction

Delft as a model. Delft serves as a prime example of a city that has successfully implemented this approach, demonstrating the myriad benefits of prioritizing people over cars. The city's success lies in its ability to create human-centered spaces that promote social interaction, improve well-being, and foster a sense of community.

2. Child-Friendly Cities Foster Independence and Well-being

What kind of place would we create if we really wanted to meet our stated ambition of caring for children?

Restoring childhood autonomy. Child-friendly cities prioritize the safety and independence of children, allowing them to move freely and autonomously within their communities. This involves creating environments where children can walk, cycle, and play without constant adult supervision. The stark contrast from our Canadian experience left us wondering: besides the obvious factors—ample cycle tracks and traffic-calmed streets—what was facilitating such different attitudes and experiences?

Combating the "backseat generation." By reducing car traffic and creating safe, accessible streets, cities can combat the trend of the "backseat generation," where children are constantly chauffeured from one activity to another. This allows children to develop a sense of independence, explore their surroundings, and interact with their peers.

Benefits of child-friendly design:

• Increased physical activity and improved health
• Enhanced social skills and community engagement
• Greater independence and self-reliance
• Improved cognitive development and academic performance

3. Connected Cities Combat Loneliness and Build Trust

Where light traffic knits a community together, heavy traffic rips it apart.

Streets as social spaces. Connected cities recognize the importance of streets as social spaces, where people can interact with their neighbors and build a sense of community. This involves creating environments that encourage walking, cycling, and other forms of active transportation, fostering face-to-face interactions and reducing social isolation.

Breaking down barriers. Heavy traffic and car-dominated streets create barriers that limit social interaction and foster feelings of distrust. By reducing traffic volume and speed, cities can create more welcoming and inclusive spaces where people feel comfortable interacting with their neighbors.

The power of "gezelligheid." The Dutch concept of "gezelligheid," which encompasses coziness, togetherness, and a sense of belonging, is central to creating connected cities. This involves designing streets and public spaces that are inviting, comfortable, and conducive to social interaction.

4. Feminist City Planning Promotes Equity and Accessibility

Patriarchy in city planning is not just a failure of society—it is a failure of the imagination.

Challenging male-dominated perspectives. Feminist city planning challenges the traditional, male-dominated perspectives that have shaped urban environments for centuries. This involves recognizing the unique needs and experiences of women, as well as other marginalized groups, and designing cities that are equitable and accessible for all.

Addressing "mobilities of care." Feminist city planning recognizes the importance of "mobilities of care," which refers to the unpaid labor performed by adults for children and dependents, including household upkeep. This involves designing transportation systems that accommodate the complex, multi-stop journeys often undertaken by women.

Key elements of feminist city planning:

• Prioritizing short trips and trip-chaining
• Creating safe and accessible public spaces
• Promoting diverse transportation options
• Ensuring representation of women in planning professions

5. Hearing Cities Reduce Noise Pollution and Improve Health

Cities aren’t loud. Cars are loud.

The pervasive impact of noise pollution. Noise pollution, particularly from traffic, is a pervasive problem in many cities, negatively impacting the health and well-being of residents. This involves reducing traffic volume and speed, promoting quieter modes of transportation, and implementing noise mitigation measures.

Traffic noise and health. Constant exposure to traffic noise can lead to a range of health problems, including:

• Increased stress and anxiety
• Sleep disturbances
• Cardiovascular issues
• Cognitive impairment

Creating a "hearing city." By prioritizing noise reduction, cities can create more peaceful and restorative environments that promote health and well-being. This involves implementing policies and design strategies that minimize traffic noise and enhance the acoustic environment.

6. Therapeutic Cities Enhance Mental and Emotional Well-being

It’s important to recognize that those factors within the urban environment which increase the risk of mental illness are neither intrinsic nor inevitable aspects of urban living. Instead they are the result of poor planning, design and management, and could be reversed.

The link between urban design and mental health. The design of cities can have a profound impact on the mental and emotional well-being of residents. By creating environments that promote social interaction, physical activity, and access to nature, cities can enhance mental health and reduce stress.

Combating social isolation. Car-dependent cities often contribute to social isolation, as people spend more time in their cars and less time interacting with their neighbors. By creating walkable, bikeable communities, cities can foster a sense of connection and belonging.

The benefits of "flow." Cities can be designed to facilitate "flow," a state of energized focus and enjoyment that is essential for mental well-being. This involves creating environments that are challenging but not overwhelming, and that allow people to fully immerse themselves in their activities.

7. Accessible Cities Empower People of All Abilities

People aren’t disabled. The environment they live in is.

Challenging disabling environments. Accessible cities challenge the notion that people are disabled, instead recognizing that the environment is often the disabling factor. This involves creating cities that are inclusive and accessible for people of all abilities, regardless of their physical or cognitive limitations.

Universal access principles:

• Safety: Ensuring that all environments are safe for everyone
• Obviousness: Making design intuitive and easy to understand
• Step-free choices: Providing options that avoid stairs and other barriers

The role of cycling infrastructure. Surprisingly, cycling infrastructure can play a key role in creating accessible cities. By creating wide, smooth, and well-maintained cycle tracks, cities can provide safe and comfortable routes for people using wheelchairs, scooters, and other mobility devices.

8. Prosperous Cities Unlock Economic Opportunity

Americans have a thousand choices for breakfast cereal, and one for mobility.

Breaking the cycle of car dependency. Car dependency can be a significant economic burden, particularly for low-income households. By providing affordable and accessible transportation options, cities can unlock economic opportunity and improve the financial well-being of their residents.

The high cost of car ownership:

• Vehicle payments and insurance
• Fuel and maintenance costs
• Parking fees and tolls
• Depreciation

Investing in alternatives. By investing in public transport, walking, and cycling infrastructure, cities can provide residents with affordable and accessible transportation options, reducing their reliance on cars and freeing up resources for other essential needs.

9. Resilient Cities Adapt to Change and Mitigate Crises

Americans have a thousand choices for breakfast cereal, and one for mobility.

Building adaptable systems. Resilient cities are able to adapt to change and mitigate the impacts of crises, such as climate change, economic downturns, and pandemics. This involves creating diverse, flexible, and redundant systems that can withstand shocks and disruptions.

The importance of diversity. A key element of resilience is diversity, both in terms of transportation options and land use patterns. By creating mixed-use communities with a variety of housing types and employment opportunities, cities can reduce their vulnerability to external shocks.

Learning from the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of resilient cities, as many communities struggled to cope with the disruptions to daily life. By investing in active transportation, public transport, and local economies, cities can better prepare for future crises.

10. Aging-Friendly Design Enables Independence and Social Connection

We should raise our sights for a moment. What could a street—a street on which our children are brought up, adults live, and the elderly spend their last days; where all people can move naturally with dignity and freedom under their own power; and where we all are able to celebrate our humanity together—what could such a street be like?

Supporting aging in place. Aging-friendly cities enable older adults to remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible, maintaining their independence and social connections. This involves creating environments that are safe, accessible, and supportive of their needs.

Key elements of aging-friendly design:

• Walkable neighborhoods with essential services within easy reach
• Safe and accessible public transport options
• Resting places and public seating
• Opportunities for social interaction and community engagement

The benefits of intergenerational connections. By creating environments that foster intergenerational connections, cities can combat social isolation and promote a sense of community among residents of all ages. This involves designing public spaces that are welcoming to people of all ages and abilities, and that encourage interaction and engagement.

Last updated: April 4, 2025