Near to Far
Have a peek inside…
Near to Far was designed by Zora Identity & Interaction Design Düsseldorf Germany
About Near to Far
The primary hypotheses of Near to Far by Dan Sturges revolve around fundamentally rethinking and redesigning transportation to create a more sustainable and equitable system. Here are the key hypotheses:
1. Transportation as a Monoculture: The current transportation system, particularly in the U.S., is dominated by large, underutilized vehicles (cars and trucks). Sturges refers to this as a “monoculture,” likening it to an unhealthy ecosystem where reliance on one mode of transport (personal cars) is inefficient and harmful, both environmentally and economically .
2. The E-automobile Approach Is Insufficient: Transitioning from gasoline to electric vehicles (EVs) alone does not address the significant issues of traffic congestion, urban sprawl, and the environmental costs of producing large cars, such as their resource-intensive batteries .
3. Multimodal Mobility Needs Redesign: Current multimodal solutions, like public transit, bikes, and shared mobility services, have been introduced piecemeal and are not enough to shift Americans away from car dependence. While these modes are crucial, Sturges argues for a more integrated, user-friendly system that makes smaller steps toward multimodality more attractive to car owners .
4. Dual-Tier Mobility: Sturges proposes a dual-tier transportation system. Tier 1 would consist of Light Low-Speed Modes (LLMs)—smaller vehicles for short trips, like NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles), bikes, and scooters. Tier 2 includes larger, highway-capable vehicles for long-distance travel. The goal is to better match the vehicle to the trip’s distance and need .
5. Zoneular Mobility and 15-Minute Cities: Sturges envisions an urban and suburban layout structured around zones, where small vehicles dominate local travel, while larger vehicles are used for longer distances. This aligns with the concept of 15-minute cities, where all essential services are accessible within a short walk or ride .
In essence, the hypothesis is that we need a shift from a car-centric, large-vehicle system to a diversified, right-sized mobility framework that is cleaner, more efficient, and more equitable.
FREE (PDF) COPY
If you are a student or can not afford to buy my book, I am happy to send you a free (PDF) version of it. Please send me an email at: multimobility@yahoo.com requesting the PDF. Note: I find having the actual (hardcopy) book in your hands - to be a far better experience than looking at the PDF on a screen. So perhaps by getting the PDF, you will look to get the actual book later on :)
