Transportation as the key element in the general plan of Albany City
For a success full building of any city in the world, it is very important to first focus on the general plan of the city for effective development and existence of that particular city. There are a number of elements that must be put into consideration in the general plan of the city before the actual construction work begins. These elements should focus on the possible changes of a city after a given period of time to make a better city. The major elements in the development of a city include, city design and development, economic and conservation, history of the city, transport network, open space, facilities and land use.
Albany city aims to be the most diverse, prosperous, safe city and well educated ready to cop with ever-changing climatic condition. The city plan of Albany therefore focuses on general goals of a city and worthwhile specifics such as incentives for the increment of the use of rain barrels. The general goal of the Albany city plan targets promotion of economic development and increase of transit options looking foreword to what and where they want to be by 2030. The plan of Albany city capitalizes on history and resources so as to be a global model for urban livability (Zavattaro 84).
The key elements of the Albany city plan include transportation, Community form (land use) housing, Institutions, economy, Natural resources, social utilities and infrastructures. Focusing on transportation as a key element, Albany city has a well established plan for its transport network. This element has several goals for the brighter Albany city by 2030. It focuses on the increased options of the transport network to incorporate the private automobile so as to improve on the movement of people within the City of Albany and also between the city and the capital region and even beyond. This element of city plan also aims to develop a complete street program which include land use plan, design standards and zoning regulations that focuses on provision of a very high level of integration between cyclist, transit riders and pedestrians. It also adopts a street legislation aiming to address the retrofit of the existing roadways and also coming up with the new ones. The element of transportation also focuses on the implementation of the traffic claiming measures such as pavement treatment, street trees and planters and land scape medians aiming to maintain traffic flow and increase the traffic safety. The plan incorporates new modes of transport such as electric cars and mopeds due to the redesigned street. The element of transportation in this plan also aims to integrate corridor study which is to be done together with NYS department of transportation. The main aim of this study is to come up with short and long term evaluation of infrastructural needs. The study is also for evaluation of the alternative design opportunities so as to create improvement on the compatibility between the city and waterfronts, and also to reduce the cost of maintenance of these transport routes. There is an idea of replacement of the elevated highway with the urban arterial which aims to create visual impression of the city of Albany (Zavattaro 85). Monitoring and tracking vehicles-pedestrian crash is in the plan for the identification of the potential movement of pedestrian. Another goal of this element of the city plan is provision of safe bicycle mobility through implementation of the bicycle master plan which involve funding of cycling coordinator both for full and part time contract to work for this city. The goal of this element also focuses on the implementation of the federally –designated high speed rail. This is to extend from Albany to New York with most priority given to Albany City. Streetcar lines are to be reestablished along the busy city routes. The element focuses on the use of round about and optimization of traffic signals where necessary. Finally, this element of transportation embraces car sharing programs for residents, and the use of alternative vehicles so as to lower the parking demand within the city.
This element of city plan covers comprehensively what was learnt in the course even in more elaborate manner. In fact it is one of the best city plans to be adopted by the Albany city since it covers almost every area if importance according to the recommended city plan. The vision 2030 of Albany can be realized if they adopt this city plan since they have natural, cultural and institutional and manpower that can effectively promote the development of the city based on this plan. Since Albany city focuses for its development over a bit longer period, the time frame for this plan is approximated to be in 20 years time. This will ogre well with the time frame of the plan (Zavattaro 87).
This plan is practical rather than a wishful idea based on the potentiality of the city. When implemented and given enough time, Albany vision 2030 of becoming a global model for urban livability and sustainable revitalization will come to reality.
Works Cited
Zavattaro, Staci M. Place Branding Through Phases of the Image: Balancing Image and Substance. , 2014. Internet resource.