Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 6.32
Increasing highway capacity to accommodate the projected growth in traffic is now very out-
dated as an approach in transport planning, and needs to be superseded by large investments in
public transport, walking and cycling and urban planning, supported by a clean vehicle fleet
be achieved, together with self-reinforcing adaptive strategies and synergies or 'increasing
returns'. The institutional framework that promotes sustainable mobility needs to be established,
seeking to deliver increasing benefits, seen here as societal goals. With respect to Scenario
4, which follows the Shanghai model more closely, and to some extent the European pathway,
the transition is complex as it involves many different drivers of change and a wide range of
policy options.
There are critical points, such as the initial development of bus rapid transit and the
urban structure being pursued in the master-planning of Jinan's development, and these will
influence the direction, scale and speed of change. All of these opportunities need to be
considered in the composite approach adopted in the policy packaging. The institutional
framework is present to allow such a system to be financed and introduced, together with the
supporting policy packages (electric vehicle subsidy and promotion; clean fuel sourcing for
electricity; public transport and bicycle infrastructure; policies for parking and congestion,
TDM and ICT, etc.).
Chinese cities are likely to move centre stage over the next 10-20 years in terms of their
tremendous growth, but also in their potential for leading the promotion of innovative strategies
for city development and transport investment, and there is a clear opportunity for them to
demonstrate best practice in the design and operation of the sustainable city. Unless the
