On the Cul-de-Sac vs. checker-board street network: Search for sustainable urban form

Abstract

The study revisited the largely accepted idea to deal with sprawl by replacing cul-de-sac/curve-linear street with the traditional checkerboard system in community design. Recent discussions suggest that a neighborhood with cul-de-sac street pattern can promote accessibility and street connectivity, if it is designed integrated with open space and pedestrian paths, while creating safe and quiet residential environments. A good example is the discarded old wisdom, the Radburn. To date, the past researchers did not acknowledge the potential of the cul-de-sac neighborhoods in achieving the benefits New Urbansits strive to accomplish. This study tried to fill this gap by comparing a conventional suburban neighborhood, a neighborhood with creative cul-de-sac street pattern, and the grid street neighborhood.