Car-free superblock pioneer's vision for Melbourne – and the one thing he forbids
The soon-to-be-complete Metro Tunnel should be used as the spine of an almost car-free Melbourne CBD for pedestrians, supported by autonomous vehicles and streets without EV chargers.
Global urban planning expert Salvador Rueda told an RMIT University roundtable event on Tuesday that Melbourne's grid design and tram network made it suited to superblocks, and land close to train stations could be their starting point because 'you don't need the car, practically'.
Superblocks are where walking and cycling is given priority over cars, which are restricted to 10km/h and have their parking spaces reclaimed for public open space.
Rueda told The Age he viewed the Metro Tunnel opening later this year as a key pillar to kick-start his previous call for Melbourne's Hoddle grid to be divided into 12 superblocks.
Cars would be redirected around the blocks to a few remaining vehicle thoroughfares – such as Spencer Street – with speed limits at 30km/h.
'The Metro [Tunnel] grows all the city. It is a very good strategy for implementation of the superblocks near these lines of public transport,' Rueda said.
'In the centre [of Melbourne], it is possible to do this tomorrow, if you want.'
Rueda said planners should be ready for ride-sharing in autonomous vehicles to emerge, too. He suggested cars should connect to the outskirts of a public transport core.
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The Advertiser
3 days ago
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Power up: Newcastle almost triples public electric vehicle charging network
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4 days ago
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Aussies being driven wrong way down electric avenue by pervasive EV myths
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