Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1.5
Beijing, China. Congestion, mainly from the private motor car, is appearing in cities the world
over. It wastes time for people and business and frustrates the driver. The marketing dream of
the 'free road' is seldom achieved in the city, and the associated growth in traffic volumes
adversely affects the city in terms of liveability, and of course GHG and CO2 emissions proliferate.
Source
: Manfred Breithaupt.
The infrastructure in many cities was designed and built over 100 years ago and needs
reconstruction. It is here that transport has a key role to play in the city, both in terms of the
need for people to interact for work, leisure, social, educational and cultural activities, but
also to enable the city itself to work. This includes the movement of people, freight and
information around the city, and the support necessary for the efficient operation of the energy
and waste. Physical movement and distribution are still central to the operation of the city,
as not every activity or transaction can be undertaken electronically; the electronic interaction
often adding another layer of mobility to the individual and to society.
What then are the challenges and opportunities for cities? Urban areas have grown and are
likely to continue to grow at a much faster rate than the provision of new infrastructure and
housing, and this situation is having a deleterious impact on the quality of life through sprawl,
congestion and pollution; through poor quality housing and poverty; and through the need for
more reliable energy supply, clean water and sanitation. The potential global risk is of increasing
energy scarcity, poverty and social inequity, which may in turn lead to social unrest and higher
rates of crime and disease. Although the role of governance and urban planning is often
questioned, it is important to see transport and development as an investment in the future of
