Title: Pollutant emissions of urban traffic in historical perspective: 1900-1950s

Authors: Elfi Bendikat

Addresses: Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin, Phil. Fak. I, Institut fur Geschichtswissenschaften, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany

Abstract: The historical perspective on traffic emissions in Germany and France shows that emissions were considered a health risk without profound knowledge of the chemical compounds. Scientific knowledge and politico-administrative interventions were strongly influenced by industrial smoke abatement strategies. The interventions comprised service and investment as well as restriction and regulation. The desire for economic recovery and the concept of the technico-functional city gave priority to motorised mobility. Pollution abatement was hoped for as a side effect of technico-rational solutions. Restrictions and regulations only had palliative effects.

Keywords: urban traffic; air pollution; politico-administrative intervention; technico-functional urban concept.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2001.001946

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2001 Vol.27 No.1/2/3/4, pp.1-9

Published online: 15 Aug 2003 *

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