Unsustainable Transport and Transition in China

by Becky PY Loo (Author)

This book discusses various transport sustainability issues from the perspective of developing countries, exploring key issues, problems and potential solutions for improving transport sustainability in China. It first reviews the current transport sustainability baselines in the three key dimensions of environmental, economic and social sustainability, via an international comparison encompassing both developed and developing countries in different world regions. Then, with a time frame up to 2030, the study groups 100 major Chinese cities according to their baseline conditions, projected population and economic growth, and common sustainability challenges in passenger transport.

A systematic attempt is made to discuss the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of various emerging sustainable transport strategies, including the metro systems, bus rapid transit, light rail, bicycles (and e-bicycles), electric vehicles and walking. Based on the different city clusters identified, the study then explores the opportunities and constraints of introducing a range of emerging sustainable transport strategies through both statistical analysis and detailed fieldwork. Future directions and challenges are identified based on official documents, onsite observations and interviews with local people. The study concludes with thoughts on sustainable transport in smart cities, the importance of governance, local participation, internal and external city movements, and towards a holistic sustainable transport plan.

Unsustainable Transport and Transition in China will be of great interest to scholars interested in carbon emissions, climate change, environmental policy, planning, road safety, sustainability, transportation and urban studies, and is relevant to China and other developing countries.

Review
"As the second largest global economy, China has an instrumental role to play in the transition to sustainable mobility. This landmark book provides the context and a detailed analysis of progress towards sustainable transport at the national and city levels, together with future options and global lessons." ―David Banister, Professor Emeritus of Transport Studies, University of Oxford, UK

"This book integrates solid theoretical knowledge, multi-level geographical analysis and the empirical situation in China in exploring various unsustainable transport challenges. There are practical guides on local sustainable transport plans for different city clusters. With the author’s forward-looking knowledge and vigorous research, this book offers invaluable insights about China’s search for a sustainable transport transition." ― Chai Yanwei, Professor in the Department of Urban and Economic Geography, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, China

"An intellectual 'tour de force' on developing a sustainable transport system. After analysis of sustainability concerns and transport challenges and international benchmarking, Professor Loo looks to the future of cities identifying ten key drivers of mobility, three types of city cluster, a sustainable transport toolbox and sustainable transport strategies." ― Richard Knowles, Professor of Transport Geography, University of Salford, Manchester, UK

"The next 10 to 15 years will be a critical time for development transition in China. Many cities are now exploring new urbanization roadmaps and this book provides us with very valuable methodologies and policy recommendations that are based on broad international perspectives and diversified local contexts in mainland China." ― Haixiao Pan, Professor in the Department of Urban Planning, Tongji University, China

About the Author
Becky P.Y. Loo is Professor of Geography at the University of Hong Kong. Her research interests include transportation, e-technologies (defined as microelectronics, informatics and telecommunications) and society. In particular, she excels in spatial analysis, surveys, behavioural modelling, transport carbon emissions, regional infrastructure, transit-oriented development, walkable communities, and road safety.