Perspectives on Mobility and Public Space

Mobility systems are essential to sustain the activities that make up urban life and they are a fundamental part of its construction. Traditionally, the places for public transport such as railway, bus and subway stations took on the role of civic and commercial centers in the heart of the city. During the last half of the 20th century, increased usage of the private car brought with it urban sprawl and contributed enormously to the pollution of the environment. This is provoking a radical reassessment of the contemporary relationship between mobility and public space and as alternative and sustainable means of transportation are being developed, architects, designers and urbanists will be designing the new places to accommodate them.

Mobility systems are essential to sustain the activities that make up urban life and they are a fundamental part of its construction. Traditionally, the places for public transport such as railway, bus and subway stations took on the role of civic and commercial centers in the heart of the city. During the last half of the 20th century, increased usage of the private car brought with it urban sprawl and contributed enormously to the pollution of the environment. This is provoking a radical reassessment of the contemporary relationship between mobility and public space and as alternative and sustainable means of transportation are being developed, architects, designers and urbanists will be designing the new places to accommodate them.