This report, one of the Building Issues series, addresses the fundamental need for effective urban transport in low income countries. It reports on the findings of a desk study focused in particular on background material produced when Sida developed an urban transport strategy, and on material developed by the World Bank in its preparation of a revised Urban Transport Sector Strategy Review. The report also draws on the author’s extensive experience as a private consultant on the issue of urban transport. The report does not dwell on technical solutions, but provides an overview of general considerations and recommendations and draws from three case studies. Given the relevance for poorer countries, the author focuses primarily on public and non-motorized transport.

Among the issues discussed are the impact of urban transport on various development issues, including the environment, poverty and gender. The author points out that the World Bank’s recent stance on transport stresses the implications for poverty and inequity, rather than its more traditional concern with infrastructure. He outlines two distinctly different approaches to urban transport development – the more traditional demand-following approach, characterized by declining transport infrastructure, an increase in the number of motorized vehicles and the neglect of public transport; and the supply-leading approach, which involves careful planning, land use and private vehicle control, and an efficient public transport system. Recommendations focus on infrastructure development and traffic management that give priority to public transport systems, public/private partnerships for developing regulated public transport systems, and a recognition of the role of non-motorized transport, along with infrastructure to support it.

The three case studies reviewed are Curitiba, with its renowned bus system, Singapore with its very effective methods for restricting private car ownership, and Buffalo City in South Africa, which, although not heavily congested, faces a number of transport problems that reinforce existing inequities and that are now being addressed with a new public transport plan from the national government.