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Cities around the world that are reducing car access

MJohnston

I thought this would be an interesting thread to track the efforts of various cities to reduce the amount of car access, and thereby improve either the public realm, transport infrastructure, or just the local environment.

Today Paris won a court case which will allow them to proceed with banning cars from the banks of the Seine:

https://twitter.com/Anne_Hidalgo/status/1055442830892654594

https://phys.org/news/2016-09-paris-cars-river-seine.html

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MJohnston

Right-wingers love their cars, for whatever reason. There's a particular selfishness inherent to Conservatism, a "for me and mine only" type attitude.

cgcsb

JohnC. wrote: »

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/may/31/madrid-set-to-end-clean-air-project-in-rightwing-power-switch

Madrid could scrap its low emissions zone. The person who is likely to be the next president of the region wants to do it. Never mind the reduced pollution, 3am traffic jams are part of the cities identity so should be brought back.

Apparently.

Mental stuff

JohnC.

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/may/31/madrid-set-to-end-clean-air-project-in-rightwing-power-switch

Madrid could scrap its low emissions zone. The person who is likely to be the next president of the region wants to do it. Never mind the reduced pollution, 3am traffic jams are part of the cities identity so should be brought back.

Apparently.

cgcsb

bk wrote: »

Also when it snows in Holland, they first snow plough the cycle lanes, before they do the roads.

Oh and when they close the cycle lanes for maintenance (which of course they do a lot of), they close the road or bus lane next to the cycle path and use that as a temporary cycle path. Because they see the the idea of mixing cyclists with mutli ton buses as being insane!

during the beast from the east the grand canal cycle way was used to deposit snow cleared from the street. :pac:

Despite the fact that the number of bikes using that on any given day is multiples the number of cars and there were no cars, or indeed anything open down there at the time.

MJohnston

redfacedbear wrote: »

A public transport strike in Holland led to the cancellation of buses, trains and ferries. The Dutch response is to close a tunnel to cars to facilitate people who can't take their normal ferry to cycle through the tunnel instead.

Could you imagine the uproar here if the Port Tunnel was given over to cyclists in a similar situation :pac:

https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2019/05/public-transport-strike-bikes-in-car-tunnel-and-plane-cancellations/

In fairness, it would be pointless to give the Port Tunnel over to cyclists, given that it would still be able to perform its primary function as a freight connection for HGVs to the port. You also can't cycle on a motorway, so there would be no way to reach the north end of the tunnel, and even if you could, it's a long, long tunnel with no ingress or egress points, so it would be of limited value to a limited number of cyclists

(I know you weren't being serious with the suggestion)

Also when it snows in Holland, they first snow plough the cycle lanes, before they do the roads.

Oh and when they close the cycle lanes for maintenance (which of course they do a lot of), they close the road or bus lane next to the cycle path and use that as a temporary cycle path. Because they see the the idea of mixing cyclists with mutli ton buses as being insane!

redfacedbear

A public transport strike in Holland led to the cancellation of buses, trains and ferries. The Dutch response is to close a tunnel to cars to facilitate people who can't take their normal ferry to cycle through the tunnel instead.

Could you imagine the uproar here if the Port Tunnel was given over to cyclists in a similar situation :pac:

https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2019/05/public-transport-strike-bikes-in-car-tunnel-and-plane-cancellations/

is_that_so

MJohnston wrote: »

I think the point the poster is making is that Madrid is no more of a 365-day tourism city than Dublin.

In fact, at a quick glance, I would be assuming that most people go to Madrid for hot-weather holidays, which would mean it'd have a bigger spike in summer. Whereas in Dublin you see plenty of Christmas tourists, even though the weather is usually miserable.

I would like to see some stats on this though!

You don't go to Madrid for the heat, as it's hellish in summer. Culture, shopping, travel hub etc. Second after Barcelona for visitors.

Some stats. https://www.statista.com/statistics/449249/yearly-number-of-international-tourists-visiting-madrid-2001-2014/ Up to over 7m in 2018 BTW.

My point still stands - pedestrianisation is not the unique driver of the growth.

Sam Russell

Mod: Discussion on the NBP has been moved to here.

MJohnston

is_that_so wrote: »

I'm pointing out it's a simplistic notion that pedestrianisation alone is the only reason for the growth.

I think the point the poster is making is that Madrid is no more of a 365-day tourism city than Dublin.

In fact, at a quick glance, I would be assuming that most people go to Madrid for hot-weather holidays, which would mean it'd have a bigger spike in summer. Whereas in Dublin you see plenty of Christmas tourists, even though the weather is usually miserable.

I would like to see some stats on this though!

cgcsb

MJohnston wrote: »

To get us back on topic...

Looks like there's massive and widespread public support in Belfast for the portion of the city centre that has been closed for months, since the Primark fire, to remain pedestrianised. Here's one small sample of the support:

https://twitter.com/belfastcc/status/1126133837933809668

Of course, Belfast CC don't seem any more interested in human-scale cities than DCC.

At the very least it should be bus only. Not sure Belfast has the footfall to justify a full pedestrianisation tbh. It's pretty dead most of the time.

is_that_so

cgcsb wrote: »

Was in Madrid in mid December gone. 15 degree highs in the day, down to about 5 or 6 at night. If you got a sheltered spot you could catch some nice rays.

It actually depends. Temperatures have hit over 20C in January but also -8C at night. Equally it can rain a lot in winter.

is_that_so

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Just like Dublin so.

Madrid is too cold in winter and too hot in summer.

I'm pointing out it's a simplistic notion that pedestrianisation alone is the only reason for the growth.

Thelonious Monk

so you're telling me to do is to burn down buildings in Dublin city centre to keep cars out and make the city more liveable? Hmmmm...

MJohnston

To get us back on topic...

Looks like there's massive and widespread public support in Belfast for the portion of the city centre that has been closed for months, since the Primark fire, to remain pedestrianised. Here's one small sample of the support:

https://twitter.com/belfastcc/status/1126133837933809668

Of course, Belfast CC don't seem any more interested in human-scale cities than DCC.

[Deleted User]

cgcsb wrote: »

Was in Madrid in mid December gone. 15 degree highs in the day, down to about 5 or 6 at night. If you got a sheltered spot you could catch some nice rays.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Madrid#Winter

Winters in Madrid are cold compared to other parts of Spain with average temperatures of about 6-8 °C (43-46 °F) and the coldest month is January 3-6 °C (37-43 °F). The temperature during the day is around 10 °C-15 °C (50-59 °F), and the temperatures during the night often get below 0 °C (32 °F) although snow is fairly occasional.[6]

cgcsb

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

110 million for the Parnell project. To think they're spending 5 billion on broadband to facilitate one off housing. Imagine what we could do for our towns and cities with that money.
What's the point in even discussing these things when this is what you're up against...

I think it's €3bn but yes it is akin to the 'ruralisation' policy of the early 20th century, when it was feared that big industrial cities were 'too English'

Thelonious Monk

110 million for the Parnell project. To think they're spending 5 billion on broadband to facilitate one off housing. Imagine what we could do for our towns and cities with that money.
What's the point in even discussing these things when this is what you're up against...

Heartbreak Hank

cgcsb wrote: »

It'd be nice to see a restoration of the square it's self. The modern parts of the hospital can be demolished, the disgusting car park at the South side can be replaced with pedestrian space. The old part of the hospital can have some new function

I looked at the satellite image of the square and in the hospital as it stands there is a crazy amount of space given over to parking.

cgcsb

It'd be nice to see a restoration of the square it's self. The modern parts of the hospital can be demolished, the disgusting car park at the South side can be replaced with pedestrian space. The old part of the hospital can have some new function

Alvin Holler

Heartbreak Hank wrote: »

Is the Rotunda hospital maternity only? If so, will services be relocated to the new one in St. Vincent's whenever that is built? Hopefully the more modern portion of it could be redeveloped for public use.

Yeah, it's maternity hospital. The plan is to move it to blanchardstown. When that happens is anyone's guess. Holles St is moving to Vincent's, the coombe is also moving to be co-located with the new children's hospital so it may take some time.

cgcsb

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Just like Dublin so.

Madrid is too cold in winter and too hot in summer.

Was in Madrid in mid December gone. 15 degree highs in the day, down to about 5 or 6 at night. If you got a sheltered spot you could catch some nice rays.

zimmermania

I was in Luxembourg last week for a few days and was surprised to find that all the city buses appeared to be free.

[Deleted User]

is_that_so wrote: »

That would also be the 365 days a year tourism, especially in the centre. Quite a few bits of it have been pedestrianised for a very long time.

Just like Dublin so.

Madrid is too cold in winter and too hot in summer.

celtcia

Look forward to Parnell Square seems the ditched the etched paving and totem pole.

I just hope the Libary gets more wood to soften it internally rather than the concrete fever.

is_that_so

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Madrid retail sales increase after car ban

https://twitter.com/StreetsblogUSA/status/1105150248345845760

That would also be the 365 days a year tourism, especially in the centre. Quite a few bits of it have been pedestrianised for a very long time.

Heartbreak Hank

Is the Rotunda hospital maternity only? If so, will services be relocated to the new one in St. Vincent's whenever that is built? Hopefully the more modern portion of it could be redeveloped for public use.

is_that_so

Zebra3 wrote: »

Removing car access to Irish cities can help increase biking numbers and reduce air pollution that kills.

What sort of morons object to this?

Oh I don't know, ones that don't have any decent or accessible public transport? You're obviously thinking Dublin as other cities and towns are worse off for public access. Proper traffic planning include all the pieces not just the bits that only you can see.

Looks great, and makes sense to have just one lane, it is rarely a busy street nowadays, I can't remember the last time I saw two cars side by side on it.

A pity they can't make it entirely pedestrian.

Also a pity this doesn't include Parnell Square East and West. They should really be doubling the width of the footpaths on those streets. There really isn't the need for these streets to be this wide given how relatively lightly used they are nowadays given the restrictions around there.

cgcsb

Great news, now get building. The west side of Parnell square is a disaster for pedestrians, this needs to be improved radically, pedestrian movements from North Parnell Square to Moor Lane, where the new Hammerson development will be, should be seamless. The site beside the Jury's Inn there would make a nice pedestrian space and entryway into the proposed scheme.