Look how beautiful the city is without cars! The government plans to ban the sale of cars with gasoline and diesel engines

We all know this unbearable standing in traffic jams. The main reason for their occurrence is the growing inexorable pace of the number of cars. A logical conclusion comes to mind - there will come a time when there will be nowhere to stretch the streets and the construction of new interchanges will not be able to solve the problem. What to do?

Let's start with the fact that the car, of course, gives freedom to its owner. The first is freedom of movement. With it, you can get to any place, at any time, regardless of the weather or opening hours. public transport. In addition, you can load the things that you will need during the day into the car, you will not have to call home before the next business or carry huge bags on yourself.

However, people often become too obsessed with cars and become blind to other modes of transportation. This one-sidedness has a detrimental effect on the urban environment, in particular, on the environment, road capacity, health and mood of people. Recently, urban planners and ordinary citizens have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to reduce the dependence of the city and each individual on the car. For many years now, many civil society organizations have been working to convey to people the importance of the concept of car-free cities.

The phrase “a city without cars” should not be taken literally. Perhaps, in a few decades, cities will begin to appear in the world where there will be no private cars, and people will use only public transport and . But for now, we are talking about reducing the use of the car by the authorities within the city or the exclusion of its use in some areas. These goals are achieved through a set of measures that are being applied in many cities around the world, turning them into places focused on people, not cars. Europe has advanced the farthest in this matter - the narrow medieval streets contributed to this. Let's look at the examples of several cities on how to move towards harmony in the transport sector.

Oslo

The most ambitious goals for the Norwegian capital - Oslo. The city authorities are determined to clear the city center of cars by 2019, which is an area of ​​approximately 2km by 2km. In accordance with this plan, a network of bike paths is being actively developed, it is planned to build a fast bike path from the outskirts to the center, since more than 90,000 people come there to work every day.

Madrid

The authorities of Madrid have no less serious intentions. They also restrict traffic on the central streets of the city, allowing only their residents to use vehicles, for the rest, fines of 100 euros have been introduced, and over time they will increase. Also in the Spanish capital practiced a ban on the entry into the city center of cars with even and odd numbers on different days, depending on the level of air pollution.

Paris

Parisians are actively transforming roadways into public spaces and pedestrian zones. So, 3 km of the carriageway of the Seine embankment were transformed into public space. This measure, of course, caused dissatisfaction among motorists, but more than half of the city's citizens approved of this innovation. Subsequently, it is planned to ban diesel engines and allocate some streets only for the movement of electric vehicles.

Hamburg

In Hamburg, they took a softer path - instead of prohibitions and restrictions - the development of a network of parks around the city, connected by pedestrian zones, bike paths, and water routes along the Elbe River. Authorities suggest that such a measure will encourage people to leave their cars at home more often. Their plan aims to rid 40 percent of the city of emissions in 20 years.

General principles

Together with these measures, European cities have long followed the founding principles of the concept of car-free cities. Of course, no large city can force its residents to give up cars without developing public transport. The emphasis in this matter should be on the scaling of the metro and light rail network.

With the help of an extensive network of underground and land lines, all parts of the city can be effectively connected. For example, in Madrid there are 289 metro stations, in Paris - 303, in Hamburg there is a metro and a city train with 159 stations, and in the half-million city of Oslo, the metro has 105 stations. Do not forget about the improvement of bus and trolleybus routes, which are an integral part of many cities.

For the convenience of using all types of transport, tariff systems are being introduced that allow you to purchase tickets depending on the time and distance of the trip. So in Berlin there are 7 ticket options. Informative, high-tech stops can be a powerful incentive to use public transport, where you can find out the exact time of arrival of transport or even charge your phone. In addition, the development of smartphones has led to the emergence of new services that are integrated into public transport systems and allow a person to receive information about routes at any time. In a word, it is important for a person to know that he will be able to get to the place he needs on time and with comfort.

A separate thread of this story is the issue of parking. The researchers calculated that the average motorist spends 100 days of his life searching for parking space. Surely you have also found yourself in situations where you had to circle the streets in search of. This problem has its own solutions, the most common of which is the introduction of paid parking. There is controversy regarding this method and many consider it another way to take money from citizens, but it is obvious that this measure is effective and inevitable. It is also important to fill the city with underground and multi-storey car parks, and intercepting car parks near metro stations will allow you to conveniently combine modes of transportation.

By observing these rules, any city can not only prevent transport collapses and reduce the gas content of its territories, but also create an atmosphere in which people will have more opportunities for creativity and social ties. One cannot but agree that traffic jams hardly set people in a positive mood. To achieve this global goal, the responsibility of each person is important, even in such, at first glance, an insignificant issue as choosing a way to work.

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Automobiles have taken over the world. Everywhere on the streets there is a busy traffic and an increased level harmful emissions. Some cities such as London, Rome and Seoul are trying to solve this problem. In these cities there are areas (mainly the historical center) where cars are not allowed to enter. And in Venice, for example, there is no place for cars at all. On the magnificent canals, you can ride a boat, a boat or a traditional local gondola. If you dream of going on vacation to cities without cars, we offer you a list of 9 places where there are no cars at all.

1. Ghent, Belgium.

This is the second largest area in Belgium where there are no cars. In 1996, it was decided not to let cars into the city center. This helped solve the problem of perpetual traffic congestion and polluted air. You can get around here on foot, by bike or by public transport.

2. Lamu, Kenya.

Lamu Island in Kenya is completely vehicle free. You can move around on foot, by bike, and on donkeys. The air here is so clean that the old city, founded in 1370, is perfectly preserved and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

3. Fire Island, New York

One of the few places in the US where there are no cars. The island has 41 km of coastline and is a true walker's paradise. You can explore the island on foot, by bike or on board an electric caddy.

4. Hydra Island, Greece.

This beautiful place has no vehicles. The only exception is garbage trucks. To better view the beauty of the island, you need to walk or take a water taxi.

5. Fes el Bali, Morocco

The old medina is one of the largest pedestrian areas in the world. Its medieval streets are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Although all roads adjacent to the medina are inaccessible to cars, the old city is full of life.

6. Venice, Italy

It is probably the most popular city in the world. It consists of 118 islands. The city is built in a lagoon, the depth of which is 15 meters. Venice can be explored on foot, by boat or by medieval gondola. Tourists will visit four hundred and sixteen bridges and one hundred and seventy-seven canals. And there is something to admire!

7. Giethoorn, The Netherlands

This small village in the Netherlands, with about 2600 inhabitants, is known as the Venice of the North. The village can be admired from a boat or on foot. It has one hundred and seventy small wooden bridges. Here is a straw farm that has been operating since 1700 and is now decorated with beautiful flowers.

8. Dubrovnik, Croatia

It is also called Ragusa. The city is divided into two zones by the old wall. On one side of the wall, heavy traffic and noise. But on the other hand, you will discover the old city, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Because of its beauty, this place has been nicknamed the "Pearl of the Adriatic".

9. Isle of Sark, France.

The only engine the locals can hear is the tractor. The island can be explored on foot or on horseback. Even ambulance here is a trailer that is attached to a tractor. If you want peace and quiet away from the smog - this is the island for you!

The materials of the column are based on reports from the following journals: BBC Science Focus and New Scientist (Great Britain), Bild der Wissenschaft, Mare and PM Magazin (Germany), Air and Space Smithsonian, Natural History ” and “Science News” (USA), “Sciences et Avenir” (France).

Since the autumn of 2018, the movement of cars has been prohibited in the center of Madrid, except for electric vehicles, cars belonging to the inhabitants of the center, and special vehicles. This trend is not uncommon. In many major cities around the world, "car-free days" are held annually. Mexico City, Athens and Rome are going to ban diesel cars. Such measures have a reason. According to the Institute for Global Health (Barcelona, ​​Spain), air pollution from cars kills 184,000 people worldwide every year, mostly from heart and lung diseases. Cars and the infrastructure supporting them occupy up to 60% of the city area. Recent studies have shown that heavy traffic can also lead to the development of dementia (Alzheimer's disease): people living on the sides of major urban thoroughfares are 7% more likely to develop this disease. Apparently the influence exhaust gases. Cars also produce greenhouse gases leading to global climate change. Not to mention the fact that more than a million people die every year under the wheels of vehicles in the world, and 78 million are more or less seriously injured.

Partial car bans, where implemented, are already bringing clear benefits. In Paris, on September 16, 2018, "car-free day", asphyxiating nitrogen dioxide levels along major streets decreased by 41% and noise levels by 5%. In Brussels, the amount of soot in the air dropped by 80% on the same day.

Since 2007, to drive through the center of Stockholm during the day, you have to pay from 15 to 35 kroons, depending on the hour of the day (from midnight to 6.30 in the morning the passage is free). After the introduction of this measure, the number of cases of asthma in children has decreased. In the center of the Spanish city of Pontevedra (area 117 km 2) since 1999 there have been no cases of death or injury under the wheels - cars are prohibited here. And more than 80% of the city's schoolchildren go to school on foot.

Cities wishing to reduce car traffic have three options: ban engines internal combustion leaving electric vehicles; ban all cars and change the layout of the city and the organization of traffic so that walking, cycling and public transport are more convenient than owning a car. Ecologist Audrey de Nazell of Imperial College London thinks it's best to ban all cars except those belonging to the disabled and city services. According to the results of computer simulation, the health of citizens will improve 30 times due to the reduction of road accidents, improvement of the air and increase in physical activity of the population.

But, most likely, for the vast majority of cities, a complete rejection of cars would be unrealistic. Since 2015, many streets in Oslo (Norway) have been turned into pedestrian and bicycle streets, and parking is prohibited in the city center. Tram lines have been extended, fares for public transport have been reduced, and the mayor's office provides subsidies to buyers of electric bicycles. As a result, the city's air has become one of the cleanest in Europe.

However, not everyone agrees with these modern trends. Oslo residents have set up a Facebook page against the city's car ban, filled with complaints about the restriction of personal freedom of movement, the reduction of trade and tourist services. Oslo has become a ghost town! - writes one of the users. But in the end, the mayor's office replies, the ban on smoking in public buildings also infringes on individual freedom, and yet, after a period of complaints, smokers have calmed down and smoke at home - or simply abandoned the bad habit.

When can we see city ​​without cars? In the distant future? How many cities in the world do you know where cars are not used?
Speaking of a city without cars, we can only think of Venice. However, this is not the only city in the world where you can travel without a car. There are places where cars were literally "banned", such as in Mackinac in the US state of Michigan. Here the use of motor vehicles has been prohibited since 1898: You can only move on foot, by bicycle or horse-drawn carriage.

Venice, Grand Canal

Venice, a city famous all over the world - no experience in using cars. The city-museum under the open sky, it can only be visited on foot or by bike. Boats are used for long trips between the islands.

Huron Street, Main Street Mackinac, Michigan, USA

Makino is a paradise for lovers of clean air: they use vehicles in emergencies, ambulances and snow-clearing vehicles in winter. The exception is electric car. In the form of public transport - horse-drawn carriages, along with bicycles. The Grande area is only 10 square kilometers, with a population of just under 500 people. Purpose of the Decree of 1898, which forbids cars— avoidance of noise and environmental pollution. The law is still in effect.

Suede, Valle d'Aosta

Suede, in Val d'Aosta is the only city in Italy that is not accessible by car. This small town has just over 100 inhabitants and is located at an altitude of 1836 meters. Access to the settlement is only on foot or by cable car. In addition, walks in the forest, mountain biking and paragliding. All the entertainment that is possible in this corner of the world is aimed at forgetting about cars.

Hamburg, Germany

The dream of living in a car-free city is a reality, and Hamburg is committed to it. Thanks to the Green Planet program, the need to use a car in the city will be eliminated within 20 years. The German city is already full of green areas: sports facilities, gardens, parks and squares. The administration decided to start a program to build bike lanes.

Vauban, on the outskirts of Freiburg, Germany

The city government of Vauban decided in 2006 to ban the use of cars. Citizens can only use the tram, which leads to the center of Freiburg. The city is not big - everything is within walking distance.

Helsinki, Finland

In Finland, the time is also running out for the car: until 2024, the use of cars will be reduced to a minimum. Thanks to the App program introduced last July. Using a smartphone, city residents will choose the fastest route and mode of transportation.

Monte Isola, Iseo

Monte Isola, an island village in the middle of Lake Iseo. The island can be reached by ferry. The only means of transportation are motor scooters that are allowed for residents.

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05.10.2009

Seven cities where cars are banned

1. Sark Island (UK)
Population: 560 people
Sark Island is located in the southwestern part of the English Channel and is part of the Channel Islands group. Of the transport on the island, only horse carts, bicycles and tractors are allowed, however, recently it has also been allowed to use buggies, but only if they are powered by batteries. You can only get to the island by ferry, because there is no airport on Sark, and even flights over the island are strictly prohibited.

2. Mackinac Island (Michigan, USA)
Population: 600 people
For some, a ride in a horse-drawn carriage may seem like an extravagant romantic adventure, but for the people of Mackinac, it is an integral part of life. Back in 1898, all motor vehicles were very prudently banned on the island, and now if you hear the sound of a motor somewhere, you can be sure that it is either a snowmobile or an ambulance.