Apart from their houses, people enjoy green spaces, parks for walking or simply
enjoying the scenery, and their relative silence. In many towns, once a person is out
of the house or apartment, there are just roads and roads, filled with vehicles of all
kinds, with little space available for persons to feel at ease, benches to sit down, if
tired.
When people have to cross six lanes of road, it is not easy to do so safely, unless
precautions are taken or have been imposed, such as crossing in two stages, etc., of
course, with the proper stoplights for motorists. When tram lines come into the
picture, this may add to the complication.
Once, decades ago, people used to walk, at least in the town or village. Then, the
car suppressed this habit or culture. Some towns have tried to help pedestrians
through some car free roads (at certain times, usually shopping hours) or restricted
vehicular access. Fortunately, some towns have advocated bicycle paths, both to
ease vehicular traffic and to help pedestrians who wish to travel a bit faster.
Notwithstanding transport (which may create congestion), people do spend
plenty of time on the roads, walking for a purpose to their destination, shopping,
and, rarely, just strolling, without any particular destination. However, it feels nice
when one can walk without the hassle of cars going around. As the pictures show,
many roads, in many countries, are being devoted for people to feel comfortable in
many senses of the word.
The photographs have been taken from many countries, to confirm that the trend
is spreading, and will hopefully become worldwide. This said, the implication is that
the relevant infrastructure should consider these trends when being designed, both
for enjoyment by local residents and by tourists. Thus, a bicycle stand should not
unduly block the pedestrian pavement, nor block the road. Often, they have replaced
the parking space, previously allocated to two to four cars.
3.1 Cities Are for People
73
enjoying the scenery, and their relative silence. In many towns, once a person is out
of the house or apartment, there are just roads and roads, filled with vehicles of all
kinds, with little space available for persons to feel at ease, benches to sit down, if
tired.
When people have to cross six lanes of road, it is not easy to do so safely, unless
precautions are taken or have been imposed, such as crossing in two stages, etc., of
course, with the proper stoplights for motorists. When tram lines come into the
picture, this may add to the complication.
Once, decades ago, people used to walk, at least in the town or village. Then, the
car suppressed this habit or culture. Some towns have tried to help pedestrians
through some car free roads (at certain times, usually shopping hours) or restricted
vehicular access. Fortunately, some towns have advocated bicycle paths, both to
ease vehicular traffic and to help pedestrians who wish to travel a bit faster.
Notwithstanding transport (which may create congestion), people do spend
plenty of time on the roads, walking for a purpose to their destination, shopping,
and, rarely, just strolling, without any particular destination. However, it feels nice
when one can walk without the hassle of cars going around. As the pictures show,
many roads, in many countries, are being devoted for people to feel comfortable in
many senses of the word.
The photographs have been taken from many countries, to confirm that the trend
is spreading, and will hopefully become worldwide. This said, the implication is that
the relevant infrastructure should consider these trends when being designed, both
for enjoyment by local residents and by tourists. Thus, a bicycle stand should not
unduly block the pedestrian pavement, nor block the road. Often, they have replaced
the parking space, previously allocated to two to four cars.
3.1 Cities Are for People
73