Road to nowhere: why the suburban cul-de-sac is an urban planning dead end
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/482130/road-to-nowhere-why-the-suburban-cul-de-sac-is-an-urban-planning-dead-end
No exitCompared to the straight lines of traditional developments, the curvilinear roads that sweep through modern subdivisions might seem relaxing, even pastoral. But lurking around every curve is a hidden danger. Lines of sight are significantly reduced, making every car backing out of its driveway a risk for other motorists. For pedestrians and people on bikes, this lack of visibility presents a significant danger. New developments also tend to have wider streets and fewer intersections, encouraging faster driving. Higher speeds and lower visibility can be a deadly combination. Studies have shown fatal car crashes are 270 percent more likely in newer, cul-de-sac-laden developments compared to older traditional neighbourhoods. All in all, giving something a French name might make it sound classy, but a cul-de-sac is really just a dead end. And that's exactly what cul-de-sac subdivisions are, too - an urban planning dead end. *Timothy Welch is a senior lecturer in Urban Planning at Auckland University
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发表于 2023-5-22 17:08:14
