The subject of transport and road layout is always also an ideological discussion.

Why is this so?

Because the way, how one deals with the subject, depends a lot on ones preferences on the central objectives of urban planning.

For me the important things within an urban setting are:

• Each house should be if necessary reachable by car

• The car should not necessarily by parked right in front of the house

• A graduate layering from private to public spaces has to be applied

• A clear distinction has to be made between the different speed layers of transport (foot, horse, bicycle, car)

• Any transport and road (path) system should not, or at least as little as possible harm the environment.

As in the original road layout of Sitio Joaninha the environment was not protected nor carefully considered. The map below shows the problem areas of the road layout.

The new road layout was as carefully considered as possible. First I know, that roads are expensive to make, and secondly, they are a cut into the flesh of the surface of the earth.

Most roads are running now exactly on the ridge of the hills and are thus naturally separating the water. This supports the alternating areas of water catchment and retention. The main road with the bus stop in front of the village square does not anymore go along the creak bed. All roads cross creak and riverbeds in a perpendicular way, which makes pollution control easier. Where possible and sensible roads were laid out as cul-de-sac roads or ring roads. The ones reduce the amount of traffic while the others keep the inner core of the quarter free from traffic.

Except the main road, all other roads should be made out of gravel. The main road should not be more than 10 m (including sidewalk) wide and paved with asphalt or preferable cobblestone.

An independent system of paths should cross the village, and give the possibility for pedestrians not to get to much contact with the motorised traffic.

Old road layout.

Problems of the old road layout.

Suggested road layout, V1.

Suggested road layout, V2.

Suggested road layout, V3.

To download, please press the right mouse button and choose 'save as...'.

    Old road layout - big version (129 kByte)

    Problems of the old road layout - big version (131 kByte)

    Suggested road layout, V1 - big version (127 kByte)

    Suggested road layout, V2 - big version (474 kByte)

    Suggested road layout, V3 - big version (429 kByte)