“Robocar also called autonomous or driverless is one of the evolutions capable to reshuffle the spatial logic of our complex urban environment. It can significantly change the streets’ layout and quality, neighbourhoods, destinations, introducing new types of cars, new human behaviours, activities, spatial uses and business models. The new types of cars will respond differently to our needs and will relate in a different way to our built environment: streets can be freed up from parked cars, building-car regulations can change, consequently streets can be redesigned and enhance their quality as public spaces. Will this mobility shift make people and cities more resilient and adaptive to the issues they face (such as growth, climate change and environmental quality, equity, energy transition and fast ICT development)? What are the fundamental aspects that can turn this change into a road trip to a sustainable urban future?
Currently, the discourse about autonomous cars has been mainly tech or transport planning oriented. We believe that urban designers should be part of this debate. Join us on Tuesday, 15th of May at TU Delft, BK (Room U) for a quick overview of the potential spatial changes made possible by Robocars, as seen from an urban design perspective. “
