"I’ve Seen a Future Without Cars, and It’s Amazing" is the title of a New York Times opinion piece exploring how to reduce the space cars take up in New York City and improve the liveability of the city. We talk with the author to explore his ideas to transform our dependence on cars and consider whether we can make public spaces friendlier and more equitable here in New Hampshire. During the pandemic, bicycle sales have soared, and parking spots are being re-imagined as outdoor dining. Can we seize this moment, when we’re using our cars less, and make these changes permanent? Sam Evans-Brown of NHPR's Outside/In podcast is the host.
- Airdate: Wednesday, July 22, 2020
GUESTS:
- Nicholas J. Coates - Town Administrator, Bristol N.H.
- Norman W. Garrick - Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut
- Julia Griffin - Town Manager, Hanover N.H.
- Farhad Manjoo - New York Times Opinion columnist. Previously, they wrote the New York Times’ State of the Art column, covering the technology industry.
Check out the New York Times visualization of "I've Seen A Future Without Cars, and It's Amazing."
A view of Bristol, N.H., below, which has relaxed standards with outdoor seating to allow food and beverage establishments to use public space. They have removed some parking spaces in the downtown and, about 10 years ago, reconstructed the downtown by removing roads to increase the green space. Town manager Nicholas Coates says "not necessarily moving away from cars but working toward more equity."
When it comes to transportation options and smart city planning, Norman Garrick says it's worth looking to Zurich, Switzerland:
https://vimeo.com/108884155">Zurich: Where People Are Welcome and Cars Are Not from https://vimeo.com/streetfilms">STREETFILMS on Vimeo.
Additional Reading:
- How the ‘15-Minute City’ Could Help Post-Pandemic Recovery
- Poor and Black ‘Invisible Cyclists’ Need to be Part of Post-Pandemic Transport Planning Too
- The Valley News asks: "Can you imagine a downtown Hanover without cars and trucks clogging South Main Street?"
- The closure of Ocean Boulevard at Hampton Beach through Labor Day to vehicular traffic has created a new walking mall.
