When roads are designed, planners and engineers focus on building a system which is capable of efficiently and safely moving its users around the region. However, rarely do we consider how these roads will shape our communities and ultimately our cities. There is more to a street or highway than its simple ability to take us places; it also creates the environment around us.
This whole topic started with a few innocent questions from a friend of mine. He asked me if I preferred the roads in Surrey (generally a suburb area) to the ones in Vancouver.
"Of course Surrey has the better roads," I answered. "Not only do they have designated left turn signals, wider curb space but now there are also designated right turn lanes for large developments."
My friend nodded in agreement. "Sure, Surrey does have all those things and the roads feel easier to drive on but there is no sense of community when you drive in Surrey. Everything has a specific space and everyone always wants to drive on the main roads. In Vancouver, everyone drives everywhere. When you drive in Vancouver, you know you are going through different neighbourhoods and communities because there are shops, parks and schools scattered everywhere. I don't feel that in Surrey, its too planned… too well thought out."
Now as an engineering student, I almost took offense to his comment but I realized that there needs to be more to a road network than its ability to move traffic. Now this maybe more of a zoning and planning issue but I want to explore how the road networks in the GVRD have shaped this region. How would a highway through downtown Vancouver change the GVRD of today? How is the Pitt River Bridge and the twinning of the Port Mann going to effect the sprawling communities? Are things getting better or worse?
Keep your eyes on the road because its going to be one interesting journey!
This whole topic started with a few innocent questions from a friend of mine. He asked me if I preferred the roads in Surrey (generally a suburb area) to the ones in Vancouver.
"Of course Surrey has the better roads," I answered. "Not only do they have designated left turn signals, wider curb space but now there are also designated right turn lanes for large developments."
My friend nodded in agreement. "Sure, Surrey does have all those things and the roads feel easier to drive on but there is no sense of community when you drive in Surrey. Everything has a specific space and everyone always wants to drive on the main roads. In Vancouver, everyone drives everywhere. When you drive in Vancouver, you know you are going through different neighbourhoods and communities because there are shops, parks and schools scattered everywhere. I don't feel that in Surrey, its too planned… too well thought out."
Now as an engineering student, I almost took offense to his comment but I realized that there needs to be more to a road network than its ability to move traffic. Now this maybe more of a zoning and planning issue but I want to explore how the road networks in the GVRD have shaped this region. How would a highway through downtown Vancouver change the GVRD of today? How is the Pitt River Bridge and the twinning of the Port Mann going to effect the sprawling communities? Are things getting better or worse?
Keep your eyes on the road because its going to be one interesting journey!
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