Moving More with Less: Promoting Environmentally Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Transport

2 May 2009 (4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.)

This seminar assembles leading players from the public and private sector who will share their views and experiences to the question: "How do we provide urban mobility that is equitable and will facilitate continued economic growth?"

Rapid urbanization, coupled with an unprecedented growth in personal motorized transport, is strangling the economic vitality of many Asian cities. Cities across the region are the engines of economic growth. Unless urgent action is taken to ensure effective movement of people and goods, continued economic growth will suffer and along with it the ability of the growing number of urban poor to lift themselves out of poverty.

Traditional approaches to accommodate the ever increasing number of private vehicles are not sustainable in the dense urban areas and mega cities of the region. Business-as-usual is not a viable option. Alternate approaches must be delivered that place an emphasis on equitable and inclusive mobility and accessibility.

Congestion, local pollution, traffic accidents, noise, and GHG emissions are deteriorating the quality of life in many urban areas and it is the marginalized society that suffers the most. The urban poor are the most exposed to the negative externalities of transport, living in areas with poor or no affordable transport services and often traveling by foot, thus being exposed to the health risks of local pollution and suffering the greatest from road accidents. Urban mobility requires a realigned focus on land development that minimizes the need to travel; public transport and non-motorized transport that makes the most efficient use of limited space; and fiscal and physical restraints for private vehicles.

PROGRAM/SPEAKERS

OP Agarwal
Managing Director, Urban Mass Transit Company India
Presentation: Promoting Environmentally Sustainable and Inclusive Transport

Pierpaolo Cazzola
Transport and Energy Analyst, International Energy Agency

Anneli Lontoc
Undersecretary, Department of Transportation and Communications, Philippines

Enrique Peñalosa
Former Mayor of Bogota

Ursula Schaefer-Preuss
Vice President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development, Asian Development Bank

Tomonori Sudo
Advisor, Office for Climate Change, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Presentation: Environmentally Sustainable Transport Sector and JICA's Cooperation

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Note: All times are in GMT+08. For inquiries, e-mail: amseminars@adb.org.