Asian Development Bank
(ADB) is beginning a set of
field studies of select
cities around Asia to help
develop blueprints for
sustainable urban transport
systems in the region.
Backed by an ADB technical
assistance grant of $1
million, the studies will
identify effective
investment programmes to
support efficient transport
systems and innovative
financing options that can
meet future needs.
The studies will be
undertaken by a team of
international specialists in
Bangladesh, China, Nepal,
Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The project is being
conducted against the
background of a region whose
cities are increasingly
under strain from the fast
pace of urbanisation, states
an ADB statement, today.
While a large portion of the
region’s urban population
relies heavily on public
transport for its daily
activities, transport
systems in most cities are
not yet adequately developed
and investments have been
limited and piecemeal.
Meanwhile, increases in the
number and use of vehicles
surpass the available road
space, adding to congestion,
poor road discipline, and
air pollution.
“Efficient transport systems
contribute to urban economic
growth, boosting incomes and
decreasing urban poverty,”
says Eunkyung Kwon, an ADB
principal transport
specialist.
“However, most urban
transport systems around
Asia do not take the poor
into account. This is
actually worsening the
situation for many of the
region’s urban poor, who
have to travel longer
distances on clogged roads.
As a result, they find it
even harder to break out of
the cycle of poverty and are
exposed to dangers on the
road and air pollution,” she
adds.
Among the biggest issues
facing Asia’s cities are
poor traffic management,
unregulated operation of
private buses, unplanned
road networks, weak
coordination, and
inefficient institutional
frameworks.
Read more about this Asian
Development Bank study on
urban transport systems
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