Learning from international experience in urban transport policy and discussing their relevance for Chinese cities was the main topic of the Urban Transport Development Forum in Beijing. The forum was organised by the Chinese Ministry of Transport, the World Bank and GIZ. The first day on 10th March 2015 focussed on the question how sustainable urban transport policy can be implemented successfully.
Dr. Friedemann Kunst (former Head of Transportation Department, Berlin State Senate) presented Berlin’s strategic approach to urban transport planning. He stressed that transport policy in Germany has come a long way: “Since the late 1990s cities in Germany have realised that it is impossible to combine the ideas of a car-friendly city and a city that is attractive and resource-efficient.” The turnaround, with an increase in environmental friendly transport modes was only possible through a participatory planning process that managed to create a unique commitment to sustainable transport objectives across departments and political parties.
In which way the Transit Metropolis Project is continuing to improve public transport in China was presented by Prof. Zhong Zhaohui, Senior Engineer with the Ministry of Transport. The project promotes mutual learning among Chinese cities and provides substantial funds for improving public transport e.g. a BRT in Beijing, integration of timetables in Shanghai and Tianjin and passenger information systems in Suzhou.
The basis of sustainable transport in Singapore was already laid in the 1960s and 1970s through transit oriented corridors, fuel taxes and congestion charging schemes according to Paul Barter, Professor for Public Policy at the Singapore National University.
Daniel Bongardt introduced the policy development process of congestion charging and discussed its prerequisites for a successful implementation. He stressed the importance of developing the policy on the basis of robust model data. The presentation was based on a new joint publication by GIZ and the Asian Development Bank. GIZ has supported Beijing in quantifying the emission impact of congestion charging schemes.
Carsharing is one of the latest additions to the urban transport policy tool box. Reiner Becker, Head of Business Development Asia-Pacific (Daimler AG) presented the requirements and benefits for free-floating carsharing systems in Chinese cities.
The project is implemented on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conversation, Building and Nuclear Safety.
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See the matching presentations here:
Dr. Friedemann Kunst: An Integrated Planning Approach: The Strategic Urban Transport Plan Berlin
Zhong Chaohui, China Academy of Transport Science: 公交都市创建与公共交通财税可持续问题的思考
Paul Barter: Singapore Urban Transport Story
Daniel Bongardt GIZ: A Roadmap to Congestion Charging
Rainer Becker ‘moovel': The Future of Urban Mobility
Zhang Haitao, WRI China: 可持续交通融资在中国：深圳案例研究Land Value Capture Shenzhen MoT
