In Venice these activities exist in fine balance, but unfortunately in many cities this balance has been upset by ever increasing car traffic. Even in the United States, Portland, Oregon, feels European with free street cars and many good public spaces. This was an immediate success. Car free space increased from 15,000 sq m in 1962 to 100,000 sq m now. Meanwhile the quality of urban landscape has been constantly improved.
Students mix happily with all generations and there is widespread use of city bikes.
Outdoor communal life is vital for people particularly when so much living is increasingly privatised. A number of questions followed the talk. Asked whether the road lobby tried to stop pedestrianisation, he said it did not because it was done gradually. What mattered was the recovery of city centre. It also allowed for more leisure time for shopping.