Smart technology such as driverless cars, demand management of traffic, digital mapping, Big Data etc. for reasons this article explains, will probably change the landscape of our cities and countryside in a significant way. As place-makers, we should start thinking about what these changes could mean not just for planning and urban design but also for the way cities are run and society in general.
DRIVERLESS CARS Some sources are suggesting that owning a car could, in 20 years’ time, be a thing of the past¹. Realistically, such a change would require a transformation in our relationship with the car that could take decades, but with driver-less cars already being trialled², there can be no doubt that they are destined to provide a realistic alternative to conventional cars and car ownership. Users of driver-less cars will be able to use an app to book a vehicle, which picks and drops them off at their chosen destination for a competitive price. This journey can be shared with other users in an efficient way, thus making the journey even cheaper¹. This on-demand service could result in car ownership being reduced dramatically¹ as there will be no need to purchase a car and pay for expensive car insurance and services. Whilst there will always be people who will want to own their own car, there is also a growing number who care about the environment, and choose to walk, cycle and/or use public transport and don’t necessarily want to spend that much money on a car. Instead the money they save can be spent in the local area, in restaurants and farmers markets creating thriving businesses and communities. The constant sharing of information together with the efficiency of driver-less vehicles could result in less congestion and much safer streets and highways – safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and children. The use of renewable energy in electric or fuel cell powered vehicles will be more efficient and widespread, reducing carbon emissions and noise in our cities. With the need for on-street parking completely gone³ (a shared vehicle either relocates itself to a station or proceeds to collect another passenger), new shops and offices will face and interact directly with the street which will enable the active, lively streets urban designers aspire to create but often fail due to policy requirements. Moreover, if places are designed and planned in a holistic way, together with an expected reduction of now very efficient off-street car parking of 80%³, this could also increase land-use efficiency across all types of developments, redevelopment of existing land and reduce pressures on the greenbelt.
Facing page- Driverless car. Image credit: Author
June 2016 | CITY OBSERVER
45