Departing from the 20th-century logic that shaped most cities, deprioritizing cars in urban development and reducing their designated street space does not worsen congestion. On the contrary, reclaiming road space by reducing vehicle lanes prompts a shift in transit habits. People increasingly opt for sustainable alternatives—such as walking, cycling, or public transit—which significantly reduces the volume of private vehicles.
This traffic redistribution phenomenon, known as "traffic evaporation," consistently shows that congestion has proven far less severe than decision-makers anticipated in cities implementing these measures. Nevertheless, despite over two decades of evidence on the subject, many urban planners still cling to the belief that adding more lanes improves flow, as highlighted by The City Fix.
