Sustainability - it is a way of life.
Traffic - Urban planning
TrafficFreiburg was rebuild after being bombed in WW2 without altering the city’s character, following the old street plan and architectural style. As roads were rebuilt, they were widened just enough for a tram track, not for more lanes of cars. Freiburg devised a traffic management plan and cycle path network in 1969. The plan is updated every 10 years. It encourages environmentally friendly transport such as cycling, walking and public transports. Traffic avoidance is achieved through urban planning making Freiburg a city of “short distances”, meaning a concentrated city with strong neighborhood centers where people’s needs are within walking distance.
TrafficFreiburg was rebuild after being bombed in WW2 without altering the city’s character, following the old street plan and architectural style. As roads were rebuilt, they were widened just enough for a tram track, not for more lanes of cars. Freiburg devised a traffic management plan and cycle path network in 1969. The plan is updated every 10 years. It encourages environmentally friendly transport such as cycling, walking and public transports. Traffic avoidance is achieved through urban planning making Freiburg a city of “short distances”, meaning a concentrated city with strong neighborhood centers where people’s needs are within walking distance.
Bicycles
Freiburg has created over 400km of bicycle paths. Also 9000 bicycle parking slots were developed. It is a sport promoted with free maps. The positive result reading between 1982 to 1999, the contribution of cycling to the city’s volume of traffic increased from 15% to 28% and public transport from 11% to 18%, while miles travelled by car fell from 38% to 30%.
Freiburg has created over 400km of bicycle paths. Also 9000 bicycle parking slots were developed. It is a sport promoted with free maps. The positive result reading between 1982 to 1999, the contribution of cycling to the city’s volume of traffic increased from 15% to 28% and public transport from 11% to 18%, while miles travelled by car fell from 38% to 30%.
Traffic calming
Another notable aspect of Freiburg’s transport policy is traffic calming. "For most streets (other than main streets) the speed limit is 30 km (19 mi) per hour. On some streets cars can travel no faster than walking speed, and children are allowed to play in the streets."
A parking space costs averagely around 18,000 Euro (approx. HK $180,000). Due to this there are only about 423 motor vehicles per 1,000 residents.
Freiburg is also constantly trying to improve, the official “traffic development plan 2020”, after consideration of various scenarios and their costs, includes 4 measures for pedestrian traffic, 13 for bicycle traffic, 12 for city public transport, 7 for regional public transport, and 19 for motor vehicles. It is a city of constant development for sustainability.
Another notable aspect of Freiburg’s transport policy is traffic calming. "For most streets (other than main streets) the speed limit is 30 km (19 mi) per hour. On some streets cars can travel no faster than walking speed, and children are allowed to play in the streets."
A parking space costs averagely around 18,000 Euro (approx. HK $180,000). Due to this there are only about 423 motor vehicles per 1,000 residents.
Freiburg is also constantly trying to improve, the official “traffic development plan 2020”, after consideration of various scenarios and their costs, includes 4 measures for pedestrian traffic, 13 for bicycle traffic, 12 for city public transport, 7 for regional public transport, and 19 for motor vehicles. It is a city of constant development for sustainability.
By: Mabel Cheung 11.2