Further to Dave Wetzel's comment on Venice.
As a cognitively dissonant hard core libertarian car lover and city loving
pedestrian and bicyclist, I found Venice ... magical. The absence of
motorized wheeled vehicles was great. Quiet. My favorite vessels were the
DHL express delivery boat and the construction barge holding two huge cement
trucks.
I'm not sure it's a good model for future cities, since it's now mostly a
tourist destination. But it certainly gives pause.
Jonathan
Jonathan L. Gifford, Visiting Fellow (9/6/05 - 3/1/06)
Transportation Research Board
500 Fifth Street, NW, Room 464
Washington, DC 20001
Tel. 202-334-3219; fax 801-749-9198
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-----Original Message-----
From: Universities Transport Study Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Wetzel Dave
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 5:26 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [UTSG] Venice - who needs "free car day"?
Just back from Venice, where I spoke at last Friday's "Mo.Ve" conference
organised by Milan University and the Italian Automobile Association.
I spoke on Transport for London's efforts to implement the London Mayor's
environmental programme for transport.
As well as cleaner vehicles, congestion charging, Ken's new Low Emission
Zone, fuel saving, walking and cycling I also spoke about the need to
preserve wild-life in London including the habitats for fauna and flora
along the side of railway tracks.
Of course, I also explained that a Land Value Tax would encourage landowners
in towns and cities to make better use of their idle or underused land and
hence avoid the pollution arising from urban sprawl!
However, having seen the canals used for ambulances, police, water-taxis,
the extensive water-bus services and even funerals I was really impressed
with the fleet of delivery boats including the refrigerated boat in the
MacDonald's livery!
We all have much to learn.
Dave
Dave Wetzel; Vice-Chair; Transport for London.
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