A prominent city advisor has advised government officials to prioritize creating walkable and bike-friendly urban environments, citing potential benefits such as improved prosperity, health, and personal autonomy, and potentially addressing the housing shortage.
According to Nicholas Boys Smith, who leads the government’s Office for Place, cars do not promote freedom but actually restrict it, contradicting Rishi Sunak’s recent plan that favors car usage over active travel and bus transportation.
Boys, the founder of urban design organization Create Streets, stated in their report, “Do not harbor hatred towards cars or declare war on motorists. However, do not fight in favor of them either. Rather, focus on the fight for creating livable, thriving, and community-oriented neighborhoods. Numerous studies have shown that voters will appreciate this approach.”
The latest research, called Move Free, follows a number of actions taken by Sunak and his team to limit local governments’ efforts to promote walking and cycling, including implementing low-traffic neighborhoods, 20mph speed limits, and bus lanes.
The report emphasizes the importance of politicians obtaining public approval before initiating plans to decrease reliance on cars for urban travel. It also highlights that data from various countries indicate significant advantages associated with such efforts.
“Examine the information and statistics within your own community,” the statement read. “In numerous traditional English market towns, the most thriving streets with the least amount of vacant shops are those adorned with street trees and have narrow, traffic-restricted roadways. While cars may be allowed, they are considered visitors. It is humans who hold the primary influence, not cars.”
Research from numerous cities worldwide suggests that urban areas with less reliance on high-speed automobiles tend to have stronger economic performance, as they are considered more attractive by residents. Interestingly, eliminating parking spaces did not appear to have an impact on retail sales.
The report stated that increased walking and cycling have been linked to improved physical and emotional well-being. Research has also shown that streets dominated by cars greatly restrict the freedom of children.
The statement explains that cars greatly limit the ability of children and teens to safely travel. The author suggests that compared to previous generations, children today have significantly less freedom, which has an impact on the dynamic of our communities.
According to the report, cars spend 96% of their time parked, making them less space-efficient compared to other forms of transportation. This highlights the potential benefits of denser cities in addressing the housing crisis, as it would allow for more homes to be built in desirable locations.
Although many European cities consider this standard in urban planning, England has shifted away from promoting active transportation due to an emphasis on drivers, potentially driven by ideology rather than research.
Boys Smith’s involvement is particularly noteworthy – he was chosen by Michael Gove to head the Office for Space, which operates under Gove’s levelling up division.
According to statements accompanying the study, created with assistance from Cycling UK, Boys Smith stated that while cars have many benefits, they also have many negative impacts. They can enhance freedom and improve the economy, but they can also harm both. Overall, it is a matter of context.
Source: theguardian.com
