Roads in new urban areas The planned town New urban areas have neither the natural attractions of the open countryside nor the historical environment of the old city. They are planned, industrialized, functional residential and work environments and they have many fine qualities, providing public services, a variety of activities, and proximity to green areas. The traffic system is an integrated part of the planned town. It must be possible to get from one place to another quickly, preferably without any problems or unnecessary delay. In many new urban areas, the different types of traffic are separated. These planned traffic systems function quite well in most cases. Traffic flows without conflicts among motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians; there is sufficient space for traffic; and a great deal is done to ensure greenery around the roads.
There are also many dull housing developments, however. Separating traffic scatters what little urban life there is and rational planning patterns create monotony. The suburban milieu is still an area where architecture and landscape architecture –
including road design – will have exciting and challenging work to do. Roads are an important element in this process. Improving the roads’ environs with plantings, increasing density, and ensuring greater contact with the surrounding areas can help create variety and improve the developments’ identity.
Main road Path system, at-grade Residential road Residential road
Primary local distributor Secondary local distributor
Freeway
Albertslund Syd is the archetype of the planned town.
Lersø Park Allé provides a uniform aesthetic experience through urban quarters of quite varied quality.
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