Suburbs
Suburbs are peripheral populated areas with certain autonomy, typically with a lower residential density and located either inside a city’s outer rim or just outside its official limits. The development of suburbs is initiated by the worsening conditions (congestion and pollution) in city centers; ironically these conditions are partly caused by commute travel between suburbs and the city center. The inflation of city center real estate prices also contributed to the urban exodus and the commercialization of city centers.
Along with the population, some companies relocated their offices and other facilities in the outer areas of cities – thus increasing the density in older suburbs and the distance between new suburbs and the city, while reducing the importance of the city center (as main destination). The increased number of destinations and travel distances, in combination with the relatively low residential density, does not suit traditional public transportation systems (operating in transport corridors).
New (lighter, more affordable and flexible) transit systems are required for transportation between suburbs and between suburbs and the city center. In most cases these systems will provide a better connection for the main trajectory than the car (because of the congestion cars face), but typically people will resort to usage of their car because another link in the transportation chain is weak. In the case of suburbs this is often the first link as public transit stations are located at considerable (walking) distance. Feeder systems need to be implemented to improve this link and ensure public transportation is a serious alternative to the car.
Both the main transportation and the feeder system need to operate effectively even with the low or moderate transit volumes that can be expected in suburbs. Hence electronically guided Automated People Mover Systems – which do not require any heavy infrastructure and have lower operational costs – are a suitable option.
As an alternative strategy to suburbs, and the associated sprawl, urban planners resort to the deliberate design of ‘new towns’ (self-sustaining cities focused on a larger city nearby).
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