The landscape treatment of noise and air pollution on urban expressways : a dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the Diploma in Landscape Architecture at Lincoln College, University of Canterbury

Abstract

This paper aims to present a summary of the issues confronting landscape architects involved in the design of urban expressways, and to look in detail at the problems of noise and air pollution. By examining the problems and opportunities that urban expressways present, openings for effective treatment of these two pollutants can be recognised. A motorway offers a city four advantages over a conventional road network. It provides better access to the central business district, and thereby reduces the time required for the journey. It offers a safer journey as the number of potential hazards along the route are minimised by the elimination of intersections and the complete separation of pedestrians and traffic. Finally, a motorway can carry more traffic, thereby relieving congestion on other roads. Motorways, expressways and arterials form the primary road network of a city. These primary roads are fed by the secondary network comprising principal roads, collector roads and local roads.