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Cities around the world that are reducing car access

12467…73

Comments

  • #152
    SeanW
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,867 ✭✭✭SeanW


    MJohnston wrote: »
    It doesn't have to be compared to anything, this thread is just about the general topic of cities that are banning cars!
    The fact that this is on boards.ie and not boards.no or boards.es suggests some connection with Ireland? Which would be very strange.


  • #153
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,440 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    SeanW wrote: »
    The fact that this is on boards.ie and not boards.no or boards.es suggests some connection with Ireland? Which would be very strange.
    You've noticed all the posts here about UK football teams, the WTC collapse, the US College bribery scandal, UEFA Europa league and more, right?


  • #154
    MJohnston
    Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    SeanW wrote: »
    The fact that this is on boards.ie and not boards.no or boards.es suggests some connection with Ireland? Which would be very strange.

    Nope! I'm sure we can relate many of the things back to Ireland, but it's still interesting to read about what other countries are doing.


  • #155
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,753 ✭✭✭cgcsb


    SeanW wrote: »
    Madrid's public transport system is even more extensive than that of Oslo.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madrid#Transport
    Madrid has 13!! Metro lines, 10 regional commuter lines and 4 "Light Metro" lines (basically like the Luas).

    What exactly are you comparing Madrid to?

    Madrid is a massive Urban area though. Oslo is smaller than Dublin in population for context and has a gigantic rail network


  • #156
    MJohnston
    Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    Really interesting read about Barcelona's plans to get cars out of their city using superblocks:
    https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/4/9/18300797/barcelona-spain-superblocks-urban-plan


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  • #157
    Zebra3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,946 ✭✭✭✭Zebra3


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

    What sort of morons object to this?


  • #158
    MJohnston
    Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    These kinds of morons


  • #159
    CatInABox
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,395 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatInABox


    The Parnell Square redevelopment has just gotten approved by ABP, which I'm delighted about, hopefully it sparks a renaissance around there.

    One of the interesting things that came out of the approval was the single revision that ABP placed on the scheme: DCC had wanted to reduce the number of lanes to two, but ABP said that it has to be one, and that there should be a two way segregated cycle track there.

    See here.


  • #160
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,753 ✭✭✭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.


  • #161
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,984 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    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.


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  • #162
    is_that_so
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #163
    Heartbreak Hank
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 233 ✭✭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.


  • #164
    is_that_so
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #165
    celtcia
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 37 ✭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.


  • #166
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,440 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    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.


  • #167
    zimmermania
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,723 ✭✭✭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.


  • #168
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,753 ✭✭✭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.


  • #169
    Alvin Holler
    Registered Users Posts: 383 ✭✭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.


  • #170
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,753 ✭✭✭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


  • #171
    Heartbreak Hank
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 233 ✭✭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.


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  • #172
    Thelonious Monk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,477 ✭✭✭✭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...


  • #173
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,753 ✭✭✭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'


  • #174
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,440 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    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]


  • #175
    MJohnston
    Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #176
    Thelonious Monk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,477 ✭✭✭✭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...


  • #177
    is_that_so
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #178
    is_that_so
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #179
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,753 ✭✭✭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.


  • #180
    MJohnston
    Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭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!


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  • #181
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 19,862 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


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


  • #182
    is_that_so
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #183
    redfacedbear
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 891 ✭✭✭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/


  • #184
    bk
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 22,984 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    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!


  • #185
    MJohnston
    Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭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)


  • #186
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,753 ✭✭✭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.


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  • #187
    JohnC.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,465 ✭✭✭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.


  • #188
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,753 ✭✭✭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


  • #189
    MJohnston
    Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭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.


  • #190
    Zebra3
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,946 ✭✭✭✭Zebra3


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

    It’s the sense of entitlement.

    Bailey & Co.


  • #191
    MJohnston
    Registered Users Posts: 10,666 ✭✭✭✭MJohnston


    Dublin Cycling, Irish Pedestrian group, and Dublin Commuter Coalition have blocked off South William Street today. Fair play to them, doing what DCC should have done long, long ago.

    Look at how lovely it all is without cars:
    https://twitter.com/dublincycling/status/1152579323959885824


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  • #192
    donvito99
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,818 ✭✭✭donvito99


    MJohnston wrote: »
    Dublin Cycling, Irish Pedestrian group, and Dublin Commuter Coalition have blocked off South William Street today. Fair play to them, doing what DCC should have done long, long ago.

    Look at how lovely it all is without cars:
    https://twitter.com/dublincycling/status/1152579323959885824

    Traffic flowed very well in the area. As soon as they were gone, there were tailback the length of the street and onwards towards Dame St.

    The main benefit was the absence of car noise, beeping, idling etc.


  • #193
    Peregrine
    Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 26,403 Mod ✭✭✭✭Peregrine


    donvito99 wrote: »
    Traffic flowed very well in the area. As soon as they were gone, there were tailback the length of the street and onwards towards Dame St.

    The main benefit was the absence of car noise, beeping, idling etc.

    You could actually hear the noise of plates and cutlery in restaurants, people talking etc. It was great.


  • #194
    Conchir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Conchir


    And today College Green is only for pedestrians and the Luas right? I can’t make it into town today but hopefully it’s a great success. Fingers crossed that the weather stays good, that should really help it.


  • #195
    cgcsb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,753 ✭✭✭cgcsb


    Sws was lovely yesterday


  • #196
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,440 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    Conchir wrote: »
    And today College Green is only for pedestrians and the Luas right? I can’t make it into town today but hopefully it’s a great success. Fingers crossed that the weather stays good, that should really help it.

    Not a great start

    https://twitter.com/neasa_neasa/status/1152885436953563137?s=19



  • #197
    Sierra Oscar
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 8,527 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sierra Oscar


    The College Green pedestrian trial seems pretty awful today. The whole area is filled with metal barriers and obstacles. Not exactly an inviting atmosphere for pedestrians. Hopefully the next trials cutback on the barriers and funnelling people through specific entry / exit points.


  • #198
    Conchir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Conchir


    AndrewJRenko wrote: »
    Not a great start

    https://twitter.com/neasa_neasa/status/1152885436953563137?s=19

    https://twitter.com/Costellop/status/1152888475848495104?s=19

    Jesus. Willfully poor by Dublin City Council? The contrast with South William St yesterday is ridiculous.


  • #199
    Peregrine
    Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 26,403 Mod ✭✭✭✭Peregrine


    https://twitter.com/neasa_neasa/status/1152897616281255936?s=20
    https://twitter.com/OConnorOisin/status/1152890446294802432?s=20


  • #200
    JohnC.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,465 ✭✭✭JohnC.


    Is there something else going on there? Are the barriers for something else? I see a "Filming in Progress" sign there.


  • #201
    Conchir
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 961 ✭✭✭Conchir


    This has actually really annoyed me. The implication by having barriers and security guards is that pedestrians are some dangerous group who need policing. In what world would dedicated security guards be needed in a pedestrianised College Green, when they're not needed on Grafton St or parks like Merrion Square or St Stephen's Green?

    And every day, thousands of vehicles move through College Green mixing with cyclists and pedestrians, yet barriers are needed when it's only pedestrians? I can only hope that it's still used by plenty of people, and that the trials later on are grouped with a bit of common sense from the planners.


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