Does anyone really think children will play on the streets when buses, trams, bicycles, emergency services, garbage trucks, and delivery vans still need that space? Does anyone really believe the "empty" parking lots will become public space?
Consider two things: First, every apartment block in a city needs access by road for the emergency services. Second, a more livable city will attract more citizens. This in turn increases the residual traffic.
A city is, by definition, a place where space is at a premium. Banning cars does not change that. And traffic can be solved by offering better alternatives to commuters and managing through-traffic.
> Does anyone really think children will play on the streets
Yes, absolutely -- unless something like fearful parents prevent it. I work close to some of the central pedestrian streets in Copenhagen. If the weather is reasonable, children will play in three places around the building:
- (Mostly) boys around 10-14 years old play with skateboards where the road leads up to the start of the pedestrian street. Naturally, very few vehicles want to go this way during daytime.
- Children (4-8-ish?) with their parents or nursery staff play in the actual play area (swings etc). This area is fenced off.
- Some slightly older children (8-12?), especially with rollerskates or kick scooters, play around the play area, including in the street. This is a through route for cars on one side, and access to the pedestrian streets on the other sides.
The buses are 100m away, people riding bicycles will be particularly careful if children are playing, and people driving will wait until the children move out of the way, then proceed slowly. I can't remember the last time an emergency vehicle needed to go through, I assume all the children would quickly move out of the way. (Far, far more quickly and effectively than a line of cars in traffic would be able to!)
Most other streets in and around the pedestrian area have fewer children playing, but more adults using the street. There are many cafes, bars and restaurants with tables on the street.
Children already play on the street in residential areas where traffic is basically nonexistent most of the day. Why do you think that this behavior won't extend to more streets if we ban 90% of the cars?
Look at SF. They are looking to ban cars from the city center but not drug dealers who deal right in front of govt buildings and mere feet from police offers.
But banning cars gets a lot more airspace for some reason. Totally dysfunctional clown city.
Consider two things: First, every apartment block in a city needs access by road for the emergency services. Second, a more livable city will attract more citizens. This in turn increases the residual traffic.
A city is, by definition, a place where space is at a premium. Banning cars does not change that. And traffic can be solved by offering better alternatives to commuters and managing through-traffic.