Urban Transport in the Developing World: A Handbook of Policy and Practice

This book offers a comprehensive review of urban transport, paying careful attention to regional variation, different transport modes, the pivotal role of institutions and holistic plans to promote sustainable transport. Written by economists and transport specialists, the volume highlights key links between transport planning, poverty alleviation and environmental concerns, including climate change. The handbook’s case studies span a wide geographic range from Bogotá, Mexico City and São Paulo, to Nairobi, Dakar, Bangkok and Beijing. Several modes are analyzed, with the environmental impacts of motorized transport (Chapter 6) considered alongside the longstanding neglect of non-motorized transport (Chapter 8). The authors also consider alternate modes such as bus rapid transit (Chapter 15), rapid rail (Chapter 16) and informal public transport (Chapter 17). These are complemented and framed by contextual discussions (Chapters 1−3) and two concluding chapters.

Through its practical discussion and emphasis on equitable interventions, the handbook suggests vital entry points and strategies for policymakers in cities. Key techniques are introduced and critiqued such as environmental evaluations for transport (Chapter 11), equity evaluation (Chapter 12) and economic appraisals (Chapter 13). The handbook consistently upholds a pro-poor focus; contributors often underscore the need for greater attention to pedestrians, bicyclists and to low-income or vulnerable groups. Chapter 9 on poverty and mobility presents findings on transport expenditures in low-income households and argues for conceptualizing transport as a central component of anti-poverty strategies. Chapter 8 includes a critique of policymakers’ blindness to non-motorized transport and provides recommendations to promote “people-focused traffic management”. In a complementary chapter on car crashes and the need for enhanced pedestrian safety, the authors seek to identify lessons from traffic interventions in cities in high-income nations while critically assessing cities’ responses to date in low- and middle-income nations.

Contributors also discuss informal modes of public transport and the rise of motorcycles, which are especially prevalent in Asian cities. Chapter 7 includes an analysis of the shortfalls of formal institutions through a case study of Nairobi’s informal minibuses (matatus), which considers both is advantages and disadvantages. Informal public transport is also explored in Chapter 17, with a focus on its social benefits, drawing on several case studies including Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro and Kingston.

The implications of rapid motorization are considered with respect to climate change, environmental sustainability and the broader need for more transformative transport institutions and interventions. Chapter 4 explores automobile dependence, Chapter 5 the future of energy for transport and Chapter 6 has a review of the range of environmental challenges created by urban transport. The editors conclude by stressing the need for more holistic thinking, building institutional capacities and promoting decision-making processes and contextually sensitive strategies that can together advance sustainable transport patterns. The imperative of responding to climate change is an especially compelling reason for promoting more collaborative, integrated initiatives and stronger institutions to transform urban transit patterns.