Evening star., 1929-10-06
Replanning Cities to Solve, Traffic
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN.

once and keep them clear OF, mobs The
circles, therefore, were expressly de-
signed to impede the movement of
bodies Of rioting men, Of mobs. How
perfect the theory was has been re-
vealed by the fact that the circles now
effectually impede the s.1ovenlant Of au-
tornobile trafic. They have become
nuisance, constituting the chief single
traffic problem of the National Capital.
This Is an example of how modern traf-
fic conditions call not alone for better
regulations, but for the redesigning of
cities
Under Napoleon III Baron Hauss-
and avenues of Paris, the principal
i idea of the remaking being the clear
ing away of obstacles and straighten-
ing and widening of thoroughfares.
Although at that time the automobile
had not appeared to congest traffic,
Baron Haussman's work has greatly
simplified modern traffic problems in
those parts of Paris where it was done.
New Kinds Of Skyscrapers.
Since the World War the City Of
London has spent millions of pounds
in clearing away obstacles and in
widening streets. 1t is difficut task,
sometimes, for authorities to achieve
their purpose in such reforms. For
a long time statue of Eros stood
In Piccadilly Circus, in the West End
OF London. 1t was removed during the
improvement Of the Circus. Such a
storm Of sentimental protest arose
that, although 1t is frankly conceded
that the statue is very much an i'm.
, pedilnent to trafic, it had to be ordered
back. Such phases must be passed
! through In all such replanning, but
that the obstacles must 60 seems in
evitable.
Concerning the type of buildings
| which cities must adopt there is at
least theoretical agreement that the
skyscraper Is necessity. London has
very strict regulations keeping the
height Of buildings low. This. it is
claimed, must give way 10 the Ameri-
can plan. But Improvements are
suggested on the American plan.
that the huger buildings should be
spotted about rather than grouped
In any single quarter. Some New
York Office buildings have 10000
people going in and out Of them daily.
Where they are placed too closely
together the congestion becomes acute.
An interesting suggestion along this
line is that Office buildings, and other
great city structures as well, should
be built on stills. Assume q building
occupying a city square. On each cor
ner would rise a structure which in
reality would be but leg of the whole
building. The entire first story would
be left open-a whole city block for
! movement of traffic or carefully reg
ulated parking space. From the four
corner legs bridgework would cross,
having the effect of roofing in the
entire square. Then the bulk Of the
main building would rise over the
whole. Given large number of down-
town buildings constructed according
| to this plan, substantial acreages or
entirely clear space would be available
on the surface for the handling OF
traffic. In general, the new planning
must contemplate the widening of
principal arteries. For large cities ex-
| perts declare that there should be IL
lines Of trafic at least, Q in each
direction.
A reform to which trafic congestion
may bring the automobile industry Is
automobiles. Cars over a certain Size
would be prohibited in congested sec
tions. French and English automo-
biles are. in general. much smaller than
American cars. For example, l,0oU
! French cars of the Citroen make or
English cars of the Austin make could
occupy the same space on the streets
| which now afford room for only 500
Lincolns or Packards or other large
cars. Then, too, trucks would be per-
! mitted In congested sections only dur
| ing certain hours.