Grid-based cities offer many environmental benefits. These cities have streets and roads that form squares or rectangles. This simple layout can make life better for people and nature.
First, grid-based cities make it easy to walk or cycle. Roads usually connect in straight lines, so people can get from one place to another without going out of their way. This reduces the need to drive cars, which lowers pollution.
If you think about the typical cul-de-sac (which does not happen in most European countries), this sometimes means that even if you only live 10 minutes from the sea (as the crow flies) you may have to take a 2 or 3 mile walk to get there, due to no grid layout.
This of course means that many people drive instead, leading to pollution and traffic.
Helps Traffic Move Smoothly
Second, having a grid layout helps traffic move smoothly. When roads are well organised, fewer cars get stuck in traffic. This means less fuel is used, which is good for the environment.
England’s terrible road system of one-way systems, ring roads and Spaghetti Junction all lead to traffic jams, which are bad for traffic and bad for mental health too!
On a serious note, getting stuck in traffic jams is also not good in emergencies and heatwaves.
Use Land for Building Wisely
Grid-based cities also use land wisely. Buildings are close together, which leaves more open space for parks or gardens. Green spaces provide homes for animals and help clean the air. A good example of this is Paris, which is built completely on a grid-system.
It has many apartment buildings close together, and everyone lives within walking distance of parks to walk their French poodles!
Public Transport Works Well
Public transport works well in these cities, too. Buses and trains can follow direct routes because of the simple road system. This makes public transport quick and easy to use, so people leave their cars at home.
It’s all very well to tell people to walk more and drive less, but if the public transport stinks, then you are never going to get people out of their cars.
New Buildings Don’t Mess Street Layouts
Finally, the grid system makes it easier to add new homes and shops. Planners can arrange new buildings without messing up the street layout. This helps the city grow without harming the environment. We do need more affordable housing.
But in our present climate, planners are ripping up greenbelt land to build on the outskirts of town. Grid systems means you can usually have more affordable homes in more central areas, so there is more green areas left for wildlife in the suburbs.
Inspiration from Grid Cities Abroad
Some say that Paris is one of the best-planned cities on earth. Designed on a grid system so you can walk nearly anywhere with ease (one reason why French people are so slim!)
Paris also retains its ancient buildings, which are not knocked down to make way for big car parks or paved areas with underpasses. Walkable streets are safe and leads to less city pollution and road accidents.
Santa-Fe in New Mexico (US) is a good example of a walkable city, built on the grid layout. This mecca for artists, writers and musicians is full of pretty buildings in Spanish-influenced colours.
The city has strict planning codes, with buildings built around a central plaza (like in Italian cities) with the town hall on one side, and the church on the other. Then there is a radiating grid of narrow streets, all easy to reach each other.
In what ways do you think a grid-based city might make daily life simpler?
