In closing the last blog I was wondering what impact the smartphone and Internet will have on urban transport.
My first reaction was that fewer cars will be needed in downtown areas with Uber and automated autos. But that is a trivial issue. Dense cities are dense so people can work and connect with each other. Smartphones and the Internet reduce that need to some extent.
If human density is what increases the productivity of cities, it is elevators that make such density greater.
I live part time in the most efficient city on the planet, from a density point of view; Tokyo. The railroad system and the subways are connected. Subways are so fast and efficient, running a minute apart at times. They are the equivalent of a tube full of people constantly moving to their individual destinations. A million people go through Shinjuku junction twice a day, Cars and bicycles make-up street life and Tokyoites are great walkers.
Tokyo is the future of cities if human density is the important element.
Other than that, I don’t see how transportation will significantly impact urban life.