REPORTS OF THE PANEL CHAIRMEN 647 



to improve waste treatment technology. Special efforts should be 

 made to clean the surface of rivers flowing past urban areas, through 

 sweep boats and other techniques. 



In conclusion, we believe that there should be an effective demon- 

 stration program for comprehensive basin environmental improve- 

 ment in every major section of the Nation, beginning with the 

 Potomac River Basin. 



Design of the Highway 



The Chairman, Mr. BABCOCK. Our panel addressed itself to the 

 specifics of highway design and particularly the need to have high- 

 ways compatible with the areas they serve. Because of time limits 

 and the subjects covered by other panels, we limited our discussion 

 to the existing highway program. 



Our opinions were diverse, and our discussions were highly 

 spirited. 



It was the consensus of the panel that the major problems of 

 highway design are in the urban areas, but that highway planning 

 should be considered as one part of the total transportation plan 

 and an integral part of the total urban planning. 



The highway in the urban setting must be compatible with the 

 existing and planned development of the areas it serves. 



Highways can be compatible with the urban areas if their con- 

 struction is appropriately integrated with parking facilities, shops, 

 offices, housing, and other parts of the city. In this connection, more 

 imaginative design must be used in building freeways on elevated 

 structures, or at ground level, or below, making much better use of 

 the space above or below them. 



It was the consensus of the panel that the need to protect parks, 

 open spaces, scenic, recreational, historic, and cultural features of 

 the urban areas should be given greatly increased emphasis in high- 

 way planning. New techniques must be developed that will give 

 greater weight to these factors as contrasted to the traditional factors 

 of traffic service and initial cost. 



To achieve the goals of a fully integrated highway program 

 really requires the increased use of planners, landscape architects, 

 engineers, and those of many other disciplines, all united in what 

 we hope will be an "urban design team." 



There is an increased need for research to develop improved 



