At the beginning of the twentieth century, automobile appeared as a toy for the rich. However, it has gradually become more popular amongst the general populace due to its convenience. With an escalating popularity, mass production of automobile has taken place in the 1920s. Manufacturers began to produce small, lightweight and cheaper cars for the broader market. (Car ownership) The price of automobile in United States and Europe went down and became more affordable to the middle class which led to a rise in automobile during the twentieth century at different rates around the world. (Impact of automobile website) The wartime bombing in World War I established a need for physical reconstruction and allowed alterations to the physical urban
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Nevertheless, the automobile market became less prosperous because of the Great Depression when unemployment was excessive. After World War II, automobile progressively gained its popularity once again. In 1950s to 1960s, the car ownership level doubled from 4.4m to 9.4m in Britain whilst the road network remained modest in size and scale (traffic in town 1963). Hence, the traffic has been doubled and led to a shift in public transport to private vehicles. The rise of automobile has brought about various impacts socially, economically and environmentally. This essay will address the density of social relation, environmental condition, the Beeching incident in the UK, and the freedom it brought to the travelers along with planning measures associated with …show more content…
People started to retreat from the front of the street and drawing their curtains closed as the cars on the street emit excessive noise and car exhausts. This disturbs the initial harmony of the community. Moreover, majority of the roads are publicly possessed and free to entry. Increased traffic overcrowded the public activities on the street, such as parades, markets, agoras, games, street performances and community interactions. The street activities have slowly died out to be replaced by automobiles. They have most likely been shifted to shopping malls or became derelict. Traffic flows shape the life and interactions of the locals and their usage of street spaces. High level of traffic inhibits social interactions and street activities. Also, people tend to walk and cycle less when traffic is high. (Urban Challenge) This is where urban planners should come in and fix the problems. Some urban planners decided to change the physical outlook of some parts of town with premises facing onto public squares and pedestrian areas whilst turning their back on the most heavily used traffic routes. Radburn suggested to incorporate superblocks in the city to enhance citizens’ quality of life and mobility by diminishing the undesirable effect caused by the extensive use of automobile and through a better utilization of public spaces. (Giving back) The superblock comprises a collection of basic roads forming a
Nevertheless, the automobile market became less prosperous because of the Great Depression when unemployment was excessive. After World War II, automobile progressively gained its popularity once again. In 1950s to 1960s, the car ownership level doubled from 4.4m to 9.4m in Britain whilst the road network remained modest in size and scale (traffic in town 1963). Hence, the traffic has been doubled and led to a shift in public transport to private vehicles. The rise of automobile has brought about various impacts socially, economically and environmentally. This essay will address the density of social relation, environmental condition, the Beeching incident in the UK, and the freedom it brought to the travelers along with planning measures associated with …show more content…
People started to retreat from the front of the street and drawing their curtains closed as the cars on the street emit excessive noise and car exhausts. This disturbs the initial harmony of the community. Moreover, majority of the roads are publicly possessed and free to entry. Increased traffic overcrowded the public activities on the street, such as parades, markets, agoras, games, street performances and community interactions. The street activities have slowly died out to be replaced by automobiles. They have most likely been shifted to shopping malls or became derelict. Traffic flows shape the life and interactions of the locals and their usage of street spaces. High level of traffic inhibits social interactions and street activities. Also, people tend to walk and cycle less when traffic is high. (Urban Challenge) This is where urban planners should come in and fix the problems. Some urban planners decided to change the physical outlook of some parts of town with premises facing onto public squares and pedestrian areas whilst turning their back on the most heavily used traffic routes. Radburn suggested to incorporate superblocks in the city to enhance citizens’ quality of life and mobility by diminishing the undesirable effect caused by the extensive use of automobile and through a better utilization of public spaces. (Giving back) The superblock comprises a collection of basic roads forming a