Published online in Routledge’s Journal of Urban Design in November 2019, this commentary by David Rouse explores challenges and opportunities for the urban design profession created by the anticipated deployment of autonomous vehicles over the coming decades. Key conclusions are that urban design practitioners should 1) develop new approaches to dealing with the uncertain impacts of technological change on the physical environment; 2) develop and test new design prototypes to positively influence change in this overall climate of uncertainty; 3) work with allied professionals and decision-makers to advance policies that will produce better outcomes from deployment of AV technology; and 4) consider the impacts of urban design decision decisions related to emerging technologies on larger societal issues (e.g., equity). Click this link for access to the commentary.
by David Rouse