Abstract
The traffic-engineering methods of planning based on the predict-and-provide principle have self-enforcing effects of induced traffic and an unhealthy environment for humans as well as for the planet. The paper aims to demonstrate that such methods keep cities stuck in a sort of path dependency with transport technologies and urban environment and to find evidence that something is changing in theory, trends, and practice. A systematic and extensive literature review has been used to identify and understand the problems, to recognise the changes taking place, and to examine the solutions. The main findings are the causes of how these problems could have happened and continue to do so regardless of the huge negative effects and the recognition that a paradigm shift is emerging as the sum of methods and achievements developed by the community of academics, experts, practitioners, policymakers, and urban communities. The findings can have practical, effective implications as the determinants of a new transport policy paradigm that shows the way out of the trap of path dependency. The originality of the approach lies in having expanded and applied the concept of anomalies of the theory to the adverse effects of technologies and the mismatch between people and the modern urban environment. The new paradigm is already showing its practical effectiveness in solving real problems by adapting cities and technologies to human nature and developing a more holistic human-centric planning method.
Highlights
A scientific paradigm is not the current theory, but an entire worldview; it refers to the network of conceptual, theoretical, and methodological commitments shared by a scientific community in a given field
Some originate from planning theory and, in agreement with Kuhn, are called anomalies; others are the result of transport technologies that produce adverse side effects on the health of humans and the planet; still others are the result of an evolutionary mismatch deriving from the inability of human beings to adapt to rapid changes in the urban environment
The conventional planning method of predict and provide keeps cities stuck in a sort of path dependency where people are attracted to certain aspects of modern urban life, namely, sedentary behaviour and travelling by car, by their genetic heritage
Summary
The enthusiasm for the new transport mode was lost when the application of the paradigm showed the first anomalies, mainly the side effects of new road infrastructures: induced demand, urban sprawl, increasing travel distance, more congestion. These were anomalies, unintended consequences, or violations of expectations that attracted the increasing attention of researchers, practitioners, and decision makers. Some originate from planning theory and, in agreement with Kuhn, are called anomalies; others are the result of transport technologies that produce adverse side effects on the health of humans and the planet; still others are the result of an evolutionary mismatch deriving from the inability of human beings to adapt to rapid changes in the urban environment. The main result is a transition to sustainable urban transport achieved by increasing the quality of urban life and reducing dependence on automobiles
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
