Urban Transport Development

Policy-making for urban transport and planning of economies in the developing world present major challenges for countries facing rapid urbanisation and rampant motorisation, alongside growing commitments to sustainability. These challenges include: coping with financial deficits, providing for the poor, dealing meaningfully with global warming and energy shortages, addressing traffic congestion and related land use issues, adopting green technologies and adjusting equitably to the impacts of globalisation. This book presents a contemporary analysis of these challenges and new workable responses to the urban transport problems they spawn.

Developing Countries Have Different Transportation Issues and Requirements Than Developed CountriesAn efficient transportation system is critical for a country's development. Yet cities in developing countries are typically characterized by high-density urban areas and poor public transport, as well as lack of proper roads, parking facilities, road

This book takes an international perspective on the links between land use, development and transport and present the latest thinking, the theory and practice of these links.

Urban Transport Development is a contribution to the ongoing global discussion on the future of urban transport. The main themes are how to cope with the complexity of urban transport development and the process of change including its determining factors. The role of leadership in the development process is the key issue. Main areas of discussion are the historical background, the diversity and complexity of present problems, and the outcome of attempts to promote positive future development in urban environments around the world.

This work describes the evolution of urban transportation planning from its beginnings in early highway and transit planning to late-1990s concerns for the environment and sustainable development. The author discusses the influence of legislation, regulations and federal programmes.

This edited volume discuses urban transport issues, policies, and initiatives in twelve of the world’s major emerging economies – Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, and Vietnam - countries with large populations that have recently experienced large changes in urban structure, motorization and all the associated social, economic, and environmental impacts in positive and negative senses. Contributions on each of these twelve countries focus on one or more major cities per country. This book aims to fill a gap in the transport literature that is crucial to understanding the needs of a large portion of the world’s urban population, especially in view of the southward shift in economic power. Readers will develop a better understanding of urban transport problems and policies in nations where development levels are below those of richer countries (mainly in the northern hemisphere) but where the rate of economic growth is often increasing at a faster rate than the wealthiest nations.

Urban transport systems are essential for economic development and improving citizens' quality of life. To establish high-quality and affordable transport systems, cities must ensure their financial sustainability to fund new investments in infrastructure while also funding maintenance and operation of existing facilities and services. However, many cities in developing countries are stuck in an "underfunding trap" for urban transport, in which large up-front investments are needed for new transport infrastructure that will improve the still small-scale, and perhaps, poor-quality systems, but revenue is insufficient to cover maintenance and operation expenses, let alone new investment projects. The urban transport financing gap in these cities is further widened by the implicit subsidies for the use of private cars, which represent a minority of trips but contribute huge costs in terms of congestion, sprawl, accidents, and pollution. Using an analytical framework based on the concept of "Who Benefits Pays," 24 types of financing instruments are assessed in terms of their social, economic and environmental impacts and their ability to fund urban transport capital investments, operational expenses, and maintenance. Urban transport financing needs to be based on an appropriate mix of complementary financing instruments. In particular for capital investments, a combination of grants †“from multiple levels of government†“ and loans together with investments through public private partnerships could finance large projects that benefit society. Moreover, the property tax emerges as a key financing instrument for capital, operation, and maintenance expenses. By choosing the most appropriate mix of financing instruments and focusing on wise investments, cities can design comprehensive financing for all types of urban transport projects, using multi-level innovative revenue sources that promote efficient pricing schemes, increase overall revenue, strengthen sustainable transport, and cover capital investments, operation, and maintenance for all parts of a public transport system, "from the sidewalk to the subway."

Forming the 23rd addition to a successful series, this book contains papers presented by an extensive selection of international delegates at the 23rd International Conference on Urban Transport and the Environment. Due to its continued success and multiplicity of topics, the series is considered to be a leading source of new research in the area of transport engineering. Transportation in urban areas, with its related environmental and social impacts, is of significant concern for government policymakers and for the urban citizens who need efficient transport systems. Extensive reviews of these systems are required to devise and then safeguard their operational use, maintenance, safety and security. The continuing requirement for better and more efficient urban transport systems and the need for a healthier environment has added to the increasing international desire for new technologies and developments in this essential field. The variety of topics covered reflects the complex interaction of urban transport systems with their environment and the need to establish integrated strategies. These topics include: Public transport systems; Urban transport planning and management; Environmental impact; Economic and social impact; Safety and security; Transportation modelling and simulation; Intelligent and advanced transport systems; City logistics; Inter-modal transport systems; Mass transport strategies; Freight transport; Railway systems; Port and city; Mobility and public space; Innovative electric transportation; Eco-mobility transport systems; Integrated network systems; Traditional and alternative fuels and energy; Public policies and governance.

Different development circumstances warrant different urban transport approaches. Harry Dimitrou suggests a more appropriate concept of transport planning for developing countries.