Final answer:
Geoffrey Jellicoe's concept relates to a Social Studies topic in urban planning addressed at the high school level, where vehicular traffic is moved to rooftops to create pedestrian-friendly streets. Historical context includes the impact of transportation systems, such as streetcars and interstate highways, on urban development and experiments like Curitiba's pedestrian street conversion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept presented by Geoffrey Jellicoe revolves around urban planning and transportation infrastructure, which falls under the category of Social Studies and is typically discussed at the high school level. Jellicoe's idea focuses on the radical transformation where vehicular traffic would be relocated to the rooftops of a continuous network of buildings, while street-level roads would be repurposed for pedestrians. This plan seeks to prioritize the safety and comfort of pedestrians while reducing congestion and pollution caused by automobiles at ground level.
Historically, the advent of automobiles and public transportation systems like streetcars had a profound impact on city development. The interstate highway system further altered urban landscapes, often at the expense of working-class neighborhoods, and led to suburban sprawl, disconnecting many from efficient public transport. In contrast, some cities have embraced New Urbanism, seeking to revive urban cores and deteriorating suburban areas through transit-oriented developments. Curitiba, for example, surprised its residents by converting a main avenue into a pedestrian-only zone, which ended up revitalizing the area.
Modern urban planning still grapples with balancing the need for vehicular access with the desire for more livable, pedestrian-friendly spaces. Jellicoe's idea is an extension of this ongoing challenge, pushing the boundaries of what might be possible in the future of urban design.