How to make Melbourne better

[ozbob]

3AW --> How to make Melbourne better

The East-West Link would be a waste of money better spent of building new 'compact communities', according to one the world's leading city planners (Brent Toderian).

Melbourne is the world's most liveable city but Brent Toderian, former chief planner for Vancouver, we have much to learn from his home, which is regularly voted runner-up in the liveability stakes.

He said one of the biggest differences between Vancouver and Melbourne was the use of roads.

"Vancouver is the only city in north America that built no freeways; we rejected the freeway concept," Toderian told Ross and John. "Everything that makes us liveable and succesful flows out of that decision.

"We under the concept of what's called induced traffic, or the law of congestion; it basically means building roads doesn't solve congestion - (the roads) just fill up because more people drive.

"The old saying is: 'Building more roads to address congestion is like loosening your belt to address obesity'."

He said Melbourne - and its outer suburbs in particular - would be better served by building communities around our train stations ...

More and interview --> http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/3aw-breakfast-blog/how-to-make-melbourne-better/20141030-3j6b4.html

[Llib]

A proposal for Brunswick St, http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/proposal-to-curb-car-traffic-in-brunswick-street-in-favour-of-pedestrians-20141030-11edhb.html