Traffic in Towns – digital, is now available.
Today (25th Nov, 2024) we launch a new digital edition of Traffic in Towns. Originally published in November 1963, this landmark study in urban planning looked at the tidal wave of car culture coming across the Atlantic and examined its potential impact on urban areas across the UK.
The front page of the Traffic in Towns – digital, alongside the original dust jacket.
It proposed innovative solutions to urban traffic problems, such as traffic segregation, pedestrian zones, and the prioritisation of public transport. It also proposed road building on a massive scale. The report’s insights continue to resonate today and still offer valuable guidance for sustainable urban development.
This new digital edition of the Buchanan Report offers an accessible way to explore the report’s insights and recommendations – while remaining faithful to the original text. Features of the digital edition include:
- Cover to cover digitisation: copies of both Steering & Working reports, full colour maps, appendices and glossary.
- Searchable text: easily find specific information and references within the report.
- Instant translation into 243 languages
- Shareable content: share and repurpose key passages and insights with colleagues and the public.
- Mobile-friendly design: read the report on any device, anytime, anywhere.
Original pages from Traffic in Towns with corresponding web pages.
While insightful in its diagnosis of urban traffic problems, it presented a car-centric bias that underestimated the potential of public transport and neglected active travel as viable transportation solutions. This led to the promotion of large-scale road infrastructure projects that ultimately induced more traffic and damaged urban environments.
Despite these limitations, the report’s accurate diagnosis of urban traffic congestion remains relevant today, highlighting the need for a more balanced approach to transportation planning that prioritises sustainable and people-centered solutions.
“Despite its shortcomings, the Buchanan Report remains a valuable resource for understanding our current built environment. It also explains why our towns and cities have ended up in a transport cul-de-sac. Crucially, it provides a road map for those brave enough to engage reverse gear and look for a new direction.”
Stephen McNally, head of projects and events at Cycul said:
“Traffic in Towns continues to be a remarkably accessible, insightful and inspirational report. Its diagnosis of the “traffic problem” was accurate, but its proposed treatment – heavily reliant on massive road projects and simplistic public appeals – proved less effective.”
“Despite its shortcomings, the Buchanan Report remains a valuable resource for understanding our current built environment. It also explains why our towns and cities have ended up in a transport cul-de-sac. Crucially, it provides a road map for those brave enough to engage reverse gear and look for a new direction.”
“We hope this digital version of Traffic in Towns helps inform current debate and discussion on sustainable transport, urban planning and our on-going problems with traffic in towns.”
The digital edition of the Traffic in Towns is now available.
Free access is supported via generous donations.
Traffic in Towns – digital, contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
For further information and background please contact us on the links below.
