Accessibility to the countryside as a factor in planning for leisure

Abstract

Cracknell B. (1967) Accessibility to the countryside as a factor in planning for leisure, Reg. Studies 1, 147–161. The growth of mobility through increased car ownership in Britain will lead to a great increase in short journeys from urban areas for leisure. This makes it important to consider the optimal form of urban area from the viewpoint of accessibility to the countryside. From data about the character of the rural road network around the city, it is possible to calculate the capacity of the network and thus the radius of the living space area around the city needed to absorb recreational traffic. A preliminary calculation is that these areas amount to 16,180 square miles (41,906 km2) in England and Wales. When all areas unsuitable for urban development are considered, it is concluded that there will not be space to accommodate expected urban growth in England and Wales up to the year 2000 without impinging on the living areas.