Cities around the world are being wrecked by the ever-increasing burden of traffic. A significant part of the problem is the enduring popularity of the private car - still an attractive and convenient option to many, who turn a blind eye to the environmental and public health impact. Public transport has always seemed to take second place to the car, and yet alternative ways of moving around cities are possible. Measures to improve public transport, as well as initiatives to encourage walking and cycling, have been introduced in many large cities to decrease car use, or at least persuade people to use their cars in different ways.
This book explores many of the measures being tried. It takes the best examples from around the world, and illustrates the work of those architects and urban planners who have produced some of the most significant models of "transport architecture" and city planning. The book examines the ways in which new systems are evolving, and how these are being integrated into the urban environment. It suggests a future where it could be mandatory to provide systems of horizontal movement within large-scale development, using the analogy of the lift, upon which every high-rise building depends. In so doing, future cities could evolve without dependence on the private car.

About the Author
Brian Richards trained as an architect at Liverpool and Yale. He has taught at the Architectural Association, and worked in Sweden, the United States, France and Morocco. He has worked as a consultant to OECD on pedestrian movement, and with London Transport on station planning and interchanges.

Reviews

'Presents some of the best examples of integrating high quality transport with urban form through design' - Built Environment

'The book is visually stunning and well laid out. The book provides transport planners with a rich source of examples of successful 'off the wall' sustainable solutions to transport in a beautiful, easy to read package.' Local Transport Today

'Presents some of the best examples of integrating high quality transport with urban form through design.' - Built Environment

'It is a brilliant analysis of how things work in the real world and the promise of new technologies. Mandatory reading for Angelenos.' - LA Architect

'Stimulating, judicious and suprisingly optimistic book.' - The Architectural Review

'What follows is a feast of illustrative material and images, many produced by the author himself, which make the book sing. This book is very readable, as well as presentable, and will surely reach a wide audience.' - Urban Design Quarterly

'His book offers persuasive analysis of existing transport best practice across the world.' - New statesman

'The book is visually stunning and well laid out the book provides transport planners with a rich source of examples of successful 'off the wall' sustainable solutions to transport in a beautiful, easy to read package.' - Local Transport Today

A wide-ranging, well illustrated exploration of hot to achieve better mobility within urban centres without further increasing dependence upon the private car. Architect Brian Richards takes a globetrotting look at how the design of buildings and cities can be better integrated with publich transport systems and be geared toward the needs of pedestrians and cyclists.' - rudi.net (Resource for Urban Design Information)

'Future Transport in Cities offers many good illustrations with clear explanations and summarizes significant transport technologies.' - Yue Wu, APA Journal

Book Information
ISBN 9780415261425
Author Brian Richards
Format Paperback
Page Count 176
Imprint Taylor & Francis Ltd
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 330g