Activity MT_02

1. Student Activity
Project SimCity Development

a. Rationalize the improvement that you have done in your SimCity development based on the
patterns defining the urban space quality and aesthetics. Support with the required
screenshots.__________________________________________________________________

Again, I change the layout of the roads. This time I choose the gridiron because it is the most efficient and
traffic friendly layout. The past layouts provide aesthetic value to the city but it consume a lot of space for
building. Choosing this layout provides more building space and less traffic jams since the intersections
are limited.

I also added historical buildings in my city. This boost the population and gives a distinct character and
enriching the city's cultural and artistic landscape.

Progress in my city has been limited due to the demands of various other subjects and activities.
2. Study Questions
a. Identify the street patterns mentioned in module topic 7. Describe each briefly_

1. Urban Connections and Linkages:

 Urban Connection: Refers to the various systems (roads, streets, footpaths, public transport
routes, and utilities) that enable movement within urban areas, facilitating interaction and
connectivity.
 Importance: Urban connections are crucial for the functionality and character of urban areas,
affecting integration, movement choices, creating a sense of place, ensuring safe routes,
addressing parking issues, and improving traffic management.

2. Type of Connections:
 The Pedestrian Environment: Focuses on accommodating pedestrians, cyclists, and public
transport users safely and efficiently, creating walkable neighborhoods.
 The Cyclist Environment: Promotes cycling by providing direct and convenient traffic-calmed
routes and safe bike storage.
 The Public Transport Connection: Emphasizes the importance of direct public transit routes or
easy access to existing ones to reduce reliance on cars.

3. Streets:
 Pedestrian-Friendly Streets: Prioritize accommodating pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit
users. They often have narrower vehicular traffic lanes and encourage walking and cycling.
 On-Street Bikeways: Provide safe spaces for cyclists, encouraging cycling as a mode of
transportation while improving safety for all road users.
 Bus Transit: Involves using buses on fixed routes, including local services, express services,
limited-stop services, and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems.
 Rail Transit: Refers to rail-based transit systems with different features such as exclusive or
shared right-of-ways.
 Streetcar/Tram: Modern electric railway vehicles designed for local travel, often running in
mixed traffic and accommodating existing curbside parking and loading.
 Intermodal and Multimodal Transit Facilities: Allow for transfer between transportation modes,
fostering a balanced transportation system.

4. Parking and Servicing:

 Highlights the importance of parking design to minimize its impact on the surrounding
environment and promote efficient, accessible, and safe parking options.

5. The Urban Pattern:
 Describes how different functions and elements of a settlement are spatially distributed, with fine
or coarse grain patterns affecting the city's layout and aesthetics.

6. Road Networks:
 Discusses the classification of roads, including principal arterials, minor arterials, collector
streets, and local streets, each serving different functions within the urban network.
 7. Street Connectivity:
 Refers to the quantity and quality of connections in the street network, with higher connectivity
providing more direct and multiple routes, while lower connectivity results in indirect
connections.

8. Traffic Calming Approaches:

 Discusses measures used to reduce vehicle speed and volume on roadways, emphasizing the
importance of public involvement, education, enforcement, and engineering in traffic calming
programs.

How are streets classified? Identify and differentiate each street type.

Streets are classified based on their functions and roles within an urban or road network. These
classifications help in organizing and managing traffic, pedestrians, and land use. The main street
classifications include principal arterials, minor arterials, collector streets, and local streets. Here's how
each street type is identified and differentiated:

Principal Arterials:

 Identification: Principal arterials are major roadways that provide long-distance, high-speed travel
and connectivity between cities or different parts of a city. They often serve as "trunkline" routes
for regional or intercity travel.
 Differentiation: Principal arterials carry high volumes of traffic at high speeds, including
interstate highways and other major freeways. They prioritize through traffic and typically have
limited direct access to adjacent properties. They may have multiple lanes and may be state- or
nationally designated routes.

Minor Arterials:

 Identification: Minor arterials are the backbone of urban street networks, providing continuous
routes through urban areas and connecting various neighborhoods. They often serve as primary
corridors for local and regional travel.
 Differentiation: Minor arterials carry more than half of all vehicle miles of travel within an urban
area. They are typically city, county, or state streets and contain a mix of commercial and
institutional land uses. While they facilitate through traffic, they also offer access to properties
along their routes.

Collector Streets:

 Identification: Collector streets serve as connectors between local streets and major arterials or
minor arterials. They collect traffic from smaller local streets and distribute it to higher-capacity
roadways.
 Differentiation: Collectors have a network of streets feeding into them and are usually lined with
properties that have driveways to the street. They have continuity over shorter segments, making
them intermediate between local streets and minor arterials in terms of speed and function.
Local Streets:

 Identification: Local streets are the most common type of street in urban areas and primarily serve
to provide access to adjacent properties, including homes, businesses, and other land uses.
 Differentiation: Local streets comprise the majority of the street network but carry a relatively
small portion of total vehicle miles of travel. They are characterized by short travel distances,
lower speeds (typically 20-30 mph), and numerous driveways. These streets serve as the
addresses for most residential properties and certain non-residential land uses.

c. What is the significance of calming traffic approaches to urban space and aesthetics?

The significance of traffic calming approaches to urban space and aesthetics is substantial and
multifaceted. These approaches are designed to create a more harmonious, safe, and attractive urban
environment. Here are some key aspects of their significance:

 Enhanced Safety: Traffic calming measures, such as speed humps, roundabouts, and narrower
roadways, are primarily implemented to reduce vehicle speeds. Slower traffic enhances safety for
all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. This reduction in speed reduces the severity of
accidents and minimizes the risk of collisions, making the urban space safer and more pleasant.

 Improved Walkability: Traffic calming measures often prioritize the needs of pedestrians. Wider
sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian islands create a more pedestrian-friendly environment. This
encourages people to walk, which, in turn, can lead to more vibrant and active streetscapes.

 Reduced Noise and Pollution: Slower traffic and the use of green infrastructure, like trees and
vegetation, can help reduce noise levels and air pollution in urban areas. Quieter, cleaner streets
contribute to a better quality of life and a more attractive urban environment.

 Enhanced Aesthetics: Many traffic calming approaches include elements that enhance the visual
appeal of urban spaces. These may include landscaping, public art, decorative street furniture, and
well-designed crosswalks. Such elements contribute to the aesthetics of the area, making it more
pleasing to residents and visitors.

 Community Building: Calming traffic can encourage greater interaction and socialization among
residents. It can lead to more community-oriented spaces, where people feel comfortable
spending time, meeting neighbors, and participating in local events. This sense of community
strengthens the social fabric of the urban area.

 Preservation of Historic Areas: In older, historic urban areas, traffic calming measures can help
preserve the character of the neighborhood by reducing the impact of modern traffic on historic
buildings and streetscapes. This maintains the unique aesthetics and cultural significance of the
area.
 Economic Benefits: Traffic calming can contribute to economic development by making urban
areas more attractive to businesses and shoppers. Walkable, aesthetically pleasing streets can
drive increased foot traffic and boost the local economy.

 Promotion of Sustainable Transportation: Traffic calming often goes hand in hand with
promoting sustainable transportation modes such as walking, cycling, and public transit. This
reduces the reliance on individual cars and supports more environmentally friendly travel options.

 Reduction of Congestion: Contrary to intuition, traffic calming can reduce congestion by

improving the flow of traffic, reducing stop-and-go patterns, and minimizing bottlenecks. This
not only enhances the functionality of the urban space but also contributes to its overall
aesthetics.