The narrow lanes of Spanish City obstructed commerce and urban order. Now, the city is doing something about it. In July, an ordinance will ban oversized vehicles from parking on the streets. The regulations state that such vehicles must be no bigger than 22 feet in length, seven feet in width, and seven inches tall. In addition to the new ordinance, the city will begin installing signage on its narrow lanes. This process includes designing and manufacturing the signs, engineering to determine where they will be installed, and finally, the actual installation of the signs on narrow streets. Sign installation will start July 2021, with the goal of completing citywide signage by the end of the year.
Spanish City’s narrow-lane neighborhoods were a hindrance to commerce
The original plan for Spanish City called for 20 square-block districts with individual shops and civic facilities. These districts would be evenly spaced and feature wide streets and chamfered corners. It also included the installation of parks and hospitals, all of which were supposed to be located on an equal scale throughout the city. To facilitate free commerce, the city was designed to feature wide streets with no more than 35 meters in width.
They were a hindrance to urban sense of order
The city’s cycling numbers have increased elevenfold in the past few years, thanks to the implementation of a network of segregated bike lanes. Biker Manuel Calvo, a Seville resident, rides his Brompton folding bike through the old town without stopping to look at traffic. The bike lane is separated from motor traffic by a raised kerb and waist-high fence.
The city’s right-wing city administration subsequently reversed parking restrictions in the old town, making it difficult for cyclists to reach their destination. While they are not in favor of traffic-calming measures in residential areas, the city’s vision has been exported across Europe. Pedestrians and cyclists alike now pedal their way through the city. However, some of the restrictions that once applied to bikes have been retracted, and Seville has been able to keep traffic flowing in its old quarter.
