This article assesses the strategies that are needed to promote a global environmentally sustainable urban transport policy. Environmental impacts associated with motor vehicle use are first described including global and local impacts. These include statistics on: (a) air pollution; (b) fuel consumption; and (c) accident rates. It is concluded that sheer numbers, space and resource requirements argue against a continuing high usage of private cars. It is suggested that a global strategy should restrict emissions from fossil fuels, restrict the consumption of land and other resources, increase energy efficiency and increase the social and amenity value of urban areas. Several tools for bringing this about are considered in more detail. These are: fuel pricing; the use of cleaner fuels; the use of non-motorised transport; demand management; traffic management; transport integration; integration of land-use and transport planning; and community participation in the planning process. Priorities for industrialised and developing countries are identified with fuel price reform being an overriding priority for both.
Abstract