Carfree, Low-car – What’s the Difference?

This article proposes a definition and typology of car-free development and assesses the benefits and problems that may be associated with this type of development. The authors differentiate between car-free and low-car development. They review the literature and describe European car-free areas, from which three types of car-free development were identified: the Vauban model, Limited Access model and pedestrianized city centers with substantial residential populations. This article uses a definition that incorporates two different perspectives of car-free development: exclusion of vehicles from the residential area, and places where people live without owning cars. The study visits supported the claims in the literature that car-free developments help to reduce problems created by traffic in urban areas. Car-free areas facilitate active travel and independent play amongst children. The main problems relate to the management of parking and vehicular access. Where feasible, car-free developments offer significant benefits to policymakers, particularly where minimal traffic generation is required. As these are often in high density urban areas, these are also the areas where potential demand is concentrated and where the benefits to residents of a traffic-free environment are also likely to be greatest. The authors conclude with a discussion of implications for transport policy in urban areas, and gaps in the knowledge base, where more research is needed.

• Record URL:
  https://www.worldtransportjournal.org/journal
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13527614
• Authors:
  • Melia, Steve
  • Parkhurst, Graham
  • Barton, Hugh
• Publication Date: 2010-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: pp 24-38
• Serial:
  • World Transport Policy & Practice
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Eco-Logica Limited
  • ISSN: 1352-7614
  • Serial URL: https://www.worldtransportjournal.org/journal
• Publication flags:

  Open Access (libre)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Nonmotorized transportation; Parking; Pedestrian areas; Pedestrian vehicle interface; Pedestrians; Policy making; Population density; Residential areas; Traffic density; Urban areas; Urban transportation policy
• Uncontrolled Terms: Car free cities; Play
• Geographic Terms: Europe
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Policy; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01328314
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 28 2011 10:43AM