Car Free Zone Facts

Car-free zones, also called pedestrian zones and pedestrian malls, refer to streets closed to automobile traffic. Some car-free zones allow public transportation and other authorized vehicles. Car-free zones are more common in Europe than in the U.S., according to walkinginfo.org.

Benefits

Car-free zones provide a safe and pleasant place for pedestrians to walk and shop. They may also increase revenue for businesses. In addition, car-free zones provide a respite from noise and air pollution, and some may also provide a location for parades, concerts, rallies and art exhibitions.

Drawbacks

Car-free zones sometimes increase traffic on adjacent streets. In addition, some shoppers dislike carrying packages for long distances, and stores that sell large items may lose business. Crime also presents a challenge for car-free zones, especially at night.

Establishment

Before establishing a car-free zone, city officials must educate retailers about potential benefits of a car-free zone and collect data about customer patterns. Next, they should implement a temporary experimental car-free zone and collect retail data and community reactions. If the experiment succeeds, they should improve the landscaping, ensure the zone is connected to public and private transportation and then establish the area as a car-free zone.

References

• Culture Change: How to Create a Pedestrian Mall
• Walkinginfo.org: State Street Pedestrian Mall
• New York Times: Pedestrian Malls: Back to the Future