Cordon

Cordon

Cordon is a term used in urban planning and design to refer to a boundary or perimeter established to control access to a specific area. The concept of a cordon is often employed in the context of traffic management, where it is used to regulate the flow of vehicles into and out of a designated zone. Cordons can be physical barriers, such as gates or checkpoints, or virtual boundaries enforced through signage, road markings, or electronic monitoring systems. The primary purpose of a cordon is to manage congestion, improve air quality, and enhance the overall livability of urban spaces by restricting the entry of certain types of vehicles, such as private cars, during peak hours or in sensitive areas. Cordons are also used in security and crowd control scenarios, where they serve to establish a secure perimeter around a venue or event space. The implementation of cordons in urban design has evolved over time, with the advent of technology enabling more sophisticated and dynamic forms of access control, such as congestion pricing schemes and low-emission zones. The use of cordons has become an increasingly important tool for cities seeking to balance the demands of mobility, sustainability, and quality of life in the face of rapid urbanization and population growth.

urban planning, traffic management, congestion pricing, access control

— John Armstrong