Why are hubs helpful?
The way we consume and move in the city has to change in order to not become cluttered or overcrowded. Look, for example, at the way traffic is organised in Shanghai. On the image below you can find one example of the overcrowded streets of the city.
Although hubs can be helpful to prevent situations such as the one above, it is also important to consider how the hubs are implemented in society. Many experiments last year resulted in the hubs themselves becoming cluttered, creating nuisance in neighbourhoods.
What is a hub?
- "A smarthub is a place where different transport modes are integrated seamlessly,
promoting efficient and sustainable urban mobility. Emphasis is given on shared mobility
options. - Connection with public transport is desirable but not necessary and it depends on the
hub type. Clustering the transport modes enhances both the transfer between them
and the interoperability between mobility solutions providers, in line with the principles
of Transit Oriented Development (TOD). - The spatial component of the hub (its architectural design and the qualities of public
space around) is essential. Ensuring an enjoyable experience for travellers lies at the core
of the hub concept; the hub should be considered by them a place where a variety
of services are available, and not just a necessary stop in order to change mode”.
What are the services of a hub?
A hub can have many different services. Outside of providing a place to obtain and store vehicles like bikes, It can also for example, be a place to charge electric bikes. Alternative uses also include the use of toilets and the possibility to have a coffee, which would possibly add a social function as well.
Where to place a hub?
The placement of a hub is preferably determined with as much data as possible, preferably data from maps. However, when in the possession of such data, the information must also be used efficiently to determine a good place. For this, spatial multicriteria evaluations are used. Many different criterias are used to determine the right location for a hub. For example, you can focus on the demand for a hub and place the hub in the locations where it is most wanted. The criteria are dependent on the goal of the hub and your own policy.