Urban Design：Green Dimensions-ENERGY,TRANSPORT AND POLLUTION.pdf

ENERGY, TRANSPORT AND 3 POLLUTION INTRODUCTION TRAFFIC IN TOWNS This chapter examines the relationship Forty years ago, The Buchanan Report, between transport, energy and pollution. The Traffic in Towns (Buchanan, 1963) set out chapter begins with a critique of a transport clearly the problems for urban areas of the policy based upon the idea of free and, if then projected increase in traffic. Buchanan possible, the unimpeded movement of the was also asked to examine the effect of traffic motor car; investment priority being given to on the quality of the local environment, and the road-building programme, which in particular to study the problems of noise, remains the desired option of the motoring fumes, smell, the effect of vibration on public in this and most other developed buildings, accidents and visual intrusion. It nations. It then outlines the features of a did not, however, include the wider remit of sustainable transport system giving priority examining the effects of pollution on the to walking, cycling and public transport. climate, nor were the effects of energy The chapter concludes with a discussion constraints so apparent at the time. of the regional and local political and Buchanan’s prognosis revealed the strong administrative structures necessary for possibility that saturation in motor car achieving a sustainable transport system, ownership would be achieved by the year emphasizing the need for public 2010. By saturation of car ownership was participation in the design, development and meant a car being available for anyone management of the system. This