Landscape Architect Articles

ASLA Launches A New Transportation Guide08-29-18 | Association News

ASLA Launches A New Transportation Guide
A Resource to Create Better Systems

LASN recently published its "Streetscapes" issue and included is an article titled "Streets of the Future," (https://www.landscapearchitect.com/articles/streets-of-the-future/30203) which explores how future streets may be redesigned to include pedestrians and bicyclists. With that in mind, transportation systems would need to evolve to provide easier access and safety for pedestrians.

On August 20, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) launched a new transportation guide to encourage transportation systems that "foster safe, equitable and resilient ways." The guide comprises seven principles and discusses how landscape architects are applying those principles to improve transportation.

The principles of sustainable transportation are:

1) Low-emission. Encourage low-emission modes of transportation (i.e. mass transit, biking or walking).
2) Active. Studies show that transit-oriented communities increase physical and mental health, thereby supporting a healthier lifestyle.
3) Safe. Traffic calming measures such as lower speed limits, protected medians and reduced lane widths could save lives.
4) Equitable. All residents should have access to multi-modal transportation that is affordable and safe.
5) Resilient. Multi-modal transportation systems are resilient to extreme weather events.
6) Ecological. Works with natural systems to reduce flooding, strengthen biodiversity, protect wildlife, etc.
7) Beautiful. Transportation infrastructure should be inviting and memorable.

Landscape Architects are:
1) Planning areas and designing streets where residents can walk or bike to meet their needs.
2) Designing safe and enjoyable routes to encourage walking and biking.
3) Designing to help eliminate serious injuries and fatalities on the roads.
4) Facilitating community-driven design, planning and policymaking.
5) Designing systems with interconnected transportation options to create "redundancy and flexibility" in case of natural disasters.
6) Integrating nature into transportation networks to minimize the "humans versus nature" conflict.
7) Designing with careful thought to create an aesthetic value towards the infrastructure.

These key principles are reflected in different sections on regional, urban, neighborhood and street systems. Research, case studies and projects are also included in this resource.

To explore the full guide, visit https://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=53811. If you would like to submit materials to be included in the ASLA guide, email info@asla.org.