Sustainable urban transport : integrating environmental, health and equity objectives

Conference item

Transport and travel can bring enormous benefits, as economies have become globalised, and as many transactions are now facilitated through relatively cheap networks and communications infrastructures. Many people in high income countries have the ability to travel globally, and their aspirations are raised through media coverage, through more educational and leisure opportunities, and through increasing wealth. But we also live in a carbon dependent society, and carbon emissions are affecting the global climate with irreversible long term consequences. Transport is the one major sector that has not made any contribution to a reduction in energy use and emissions. Equity is also a major issue as many of the new opportunities for greater mobility have been restricted to a small proportion of the rich global population, while lower income groups typically suffer more of the adverse consequences. The environmental limits and social inequities make it economically unsustainable and the situation has become worse over the last twenty years since global awareness of the potential impact of climate change was recognised at the Rio Summit.

Authors: Banister, D; Woodcock, J

• Alternative title: Draft paper for the conference
• Edition: Author's Original
• Language: English
• Keywords: TSU