Cities at a crossroads : unlocking the potential for green urban transport

Abstract

The paper proposes a set of new initiatives for G20 Leaders' consideration, including the development of an umbrella toolkit to guide policy-makers in charge of urban planning to make transport decisions best suited to their local contexts. Urban transport determines the shape of a city and its ecological footprint. Many cities in low- and middle-income countries are at a crossroads. Policy decisions taken now, while car use is still relatively low and cities retain a relatively transit friendly, compact urban form, will affect how people will live in their cities for many decades into the future. A new paradigm of urban transport can be part of the solution to reversing the deteriorating situation in some cities of developing countries, and supporting others to embark on a sustainable, low-carbon, green growth path: developing a city for people rather than cars, and including public/mass transport as a major component of the modal structure. Implementing such a new paradigm can be truly transformational. This joint World Bank/Asian Development Bank paper was developed for discussion at the G20 Leaders Summit in Los Cabos on June 18-19, 2012. It lays out six aspects, which are most difficult to align, yet, are critical to ensure the sustainability of urban transport systems - visionary leadership, integrated strategy for land use and urban transport, coordination among agencies, domestic capacity, adequate cost recovery, and private participation in the operation and construction of urban transport systems.

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