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How to Design a Sustainable Urban Transport?

Sustainable transportation

Modernism has changed the perspective on modern technology. People are looking for fast, efficient and ownership transportation to be in a ‘modern’ world. A huge bloom of car production and demand has changed the urban fabric landscape to provide the need of current demands like roads, highways and parking lots. The private vehicle is a vehicle that only benefits the user but gives many disadvantages to the environment and urban communities.

“CO2 emissions from passenger transport vary significantly depending on the transport mode. Passenger cars are a major polluter, accounting for 61% of total CO2 emissions from EU road transport.” European Parliament (2019)

Now many countries have the awareness and make the initiative to reduce private vehicles to create a healthier environment. Those initiatives can be learned and applied in my country, Malaysia, which slowly shifting to public transport from private vehicles.

Why Malaysia is so car-centric?

In 2021, there were 33.3 million registered vehicles nationwide outnumbering the Malaysian population, which stood at 32.6 million, according to road safety expert Professor Dr Kulanthayan K.C. Mani of Universiti Putra Malaysia (Dawn Chan, 2022). The data picture how dependable Malaysians are towards private vehicles. The question is why?

Figure 1 New highways won’t fix traffic woes (Muttaqin, 2022)

One of the main reasons is the lack of transportation options. The private vehicle infrastructure becomes the main priority, leaving no choice for the people to at least learn how to drive or ride a motorbike.

Besides, the inefficiency of public transport also contributes to the high demand for private vehicles. For instance, public transport has low frequency and is not punctual making it unreliable, especially during the pick hour. As mentioned by Tham Guan Min and Anuar, the reason people use private transport is to reflect their status social or personal, save time and be more comfortable.

Unlike many other countries, Malaysia’s weather is also one of the reasons. Hot and heavy rain frequently causes people to prefer to have private vehicles as their medium of transportation. However, Singapore and Malaysia have the same topography, but the number of pedestrian users is different. Therefore, how to make Malaysia a walkable city?

How to make them walkable urban design?

Improve the pedestrian infrastructure designated to all groups of people including for people with less ability. Well-designed infrastructure allows them to create a vibrant community which leads to a safer environment by natural surveillance of the people surrounding. As mentioned by Jacobs 1961, the city is safe from danger if the streets are safe from danger.

The weather can be tackled with a proper pedestrian walkway. The sheltered walkway is necessary to shield pedestrians from the hot weather and rainy days as well as a natural solution which is tree planning (Nasrudin, Sarimin, and Ibrahim, (2018)).

Figure 2. Author’s illustration

Besides, public transport needs to be efficient in order to increase the number of pedestrians. Public transport is a medium of transportation for further distances while pedestrians usually for short distances. The integration of the transportation system with pedestrian walkways can create comfort for the user to move from one place to another. Besides, efficient public transport can become a main preference among the user while creating freedom for transportation.

Figure 3. Author’s illustration

Conclusion

Malaysia can achieve a walkable city by improving pedestrian and public infrastructure.  In this way, the people will shift from personal vehicle preference to public transport which is healthier and more sustainable. Therefore, the government, authorities, planners and urban designers need to play their roles to promote Malaysia as a walkable city.

 

Reference

European Parliament (2019). CO2 emissions from cars: facts and figures (infographics) | News | European Parliament. [online] Europa.eu. Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20190313STO31218/co2-emissions-from-cars-facts-and-figures-infographics.

Muttaqin, I. (2022). New highways won’t fix traffic woes. [online] thesun.my. Available at: https://thesun.my/home_news/new-highways-wont-fix-traffic-woes-YF9263100 (Accessed 22 Dec. 2023).

Chan, D. (2022). NewStraits Times: Vehicles outnumber people in Malaysia, https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/06/803654/vehicles-outnumber-people-malaysia (Accessed 18 Dec. 2023).

Guan, T. and Khairiel Anuar, N. (n.d.). Urban Transportation Issues: A Case Study at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Nasrudin, N., Sarimin, M. and Ibrahim, N. (2018). Journal of the Malaysian Institute of Planners. 16.

Jacobs, J. (1961). ‘The Uses of Sidewalks: Safety’ from The Death and Life of Great American Cities.

 

4 responses to “How to Design a Sustainable Urban Transport?”

  1. This blog post is quite intriguing and insightful but as we know that urban transportation planning comes into play while designing sustainable transportation and systems that support long–term efficient accessibility. The roads, footpaths, rails, and bicycle lanes in the urban landscape support the life of the city.

    So, what is transportation planning? These public-facing initiatives acknowledge that improved transportation is essential for a sustainable economy and a high standard of living that attracts and maintains residents and visitors. Transportation planners strive to make it as easy and affordable as possible for people to get from their homes to places of work, shopping, or leisure. Thus, if the city is to achieve its goals of being both livable as well as desirable while also having sustainable mobility, proper transportation planning is necessary. Many stages of urban data gathering are necessary during the planning stage in order to achieve this.

    By achieving a balance between investments, technology, land use, and policy, transportation planning offers integrated solutions. These are intended to promote strategic accessibility and long-term growth. Before developing plans, effective transportation planning considers demographics, travel trends, and community requirements. This involves evaluating the existing infrastructure, projecting future transportation requirements, and making improvement recommendations. Any financial restrictions should be considered during the planning process. Policymakers can establish their objectives for a region through transportation planning, which helps analyze travel patterns and demographics. They may determine future policies by projecting how characteristics will change in the future.

    Then, investments and ideas for spatial planning can be modified to meet present and future demands as well as the requirements of urban mobility. The planning takes into consideration every significant factor required to improve the use of transportation systems. Analyzing and evaluating the situation of urban transport and traffic patterns at the moment is the first step. Subsequently, plans and policies are proposed using this data. These seek to offer comprehensive solutions that take longevity, accessibility, safety, and sustainability into account.
    In conclusion, the process of transportation planning is dynamic and iterative, with the goal of developing safe, effective, and sustainable transportation systems. Its objective is to satisfy the many demands of communities while promoting mobility, reducing traffic, enhancing accessibility, and minimizing environmental effect.

    References List

    Biasotti, A. (2021). What Is Urban Transportation Planning? [online] ACB Consulting Services. Available at: https://www.acbconsultingservices.com/construction-management-for-transportation/what-is-urban-transportation-planning/. (Accessed: 3 January 2024).
    Transportation Planning. (n.d.). [online] Available at: https://www.ite.org/technical-resources/topics/transportation-planning/. (Accessed: 3 January 2024).
    What is Transportation Planning: Everything You Need To Know. (n.d.). [online] Available at: https://www.remix.com/blog/what-is-transportation-planning. (Accessed: 3 January 2024).
    What is Transportation Planning? (n.d.). Plan RVA. [online] Available at: https://planrva.org/transportation/what-is-transportation-planning/. (Accessed: 3 January 2024).

    Reply

  2. This post displays the eagerness to make a sustainable transport system to improve the transport situation in Malaysia.In modern eras private vehicles are the most popular methods for people daily commuting,that’s the reason why private vehicles have a great amount of proportion in many countries,even though some countries are car-centric.The private vehicles provide convenience for people in some terms.They’re essential.
    Also the post shows nowadays’ kinds of transportion in the world which are the disadvantages and obstacle for developing sustainable transport.Too many gasoline car is the main source of air pollution for generating CO2.Meanwhile the special weather situation is another obstacle for sustainable transport.Malaysia is a topic,for example.
    In Malaysia,the lack of public transportion and special weather situation are the main obstacles.For “anti” rainy and hot weather,you have figured out a good method for citizens walking out instead of driving cars or motorcycles.This method can be helpful in some terms.Because it won’t be comfortable walking in the street if the weather is too extremly outside.But whether this method is the most suitable method for people walking?The city,country is huge,the government may construct some sheltered walkway (Nasrudin, Sarimin, and Ibrahim 2018) in pavements of the whole city.Constructing all walkway to be sheltered may be too ideal or unrealized.By the way it’s also a huge building task for the government because it must cost much money and resources.Even if sheltered walkway will be constructed they definitely need maintainance.Some day it may be a heavy burden.
    Malaysia is a car-centric country (Chan, D. (2022))and it’s obviously citizens need vehicles in daily life because vehicles have a great effect for people.Maybe make some changes in vehicles is a different method.Due to air pollution is common environmental problem all over the world.Many countries have started discussing and generating new energy vehicles-electric vehicles,like China.Electric vehicles are topical new resouces transporation instead of gasoline.It can decrease CO2 emissions in the maximum extent which is helpful for environment.The electric vehicles is worth thinking about for replacing traditional vehicles and better for promoting sustainable transport.
    References:
    Chan, D. (2022). NewStraits Times: Vehicles outnumber people in Malaysia, https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/06/803654/vehicles-outnumber-people-malaysia (Accessed 18 Dec. 2023).
    Nasrudin, N., Sarimin, M. and Ibrahim, N. (2018). Journal of the Malaysian Institute of Planners. 16.

    Reply

  3. The blog effectively illustrates Malaysia’s struggle with an urban environment that is centered around cars and the urgent need to switch to sustainable modes of transportation. The discussion on the overwhelming dependency on private vehicles is deeply resonant, reflecting the challenges faced by many rapidly urbanizing countries, including India.

    Similar to Malaysia, India is dealing with an increasing number of registered cars relative to its population. According to a Ministry of Road Transport and Highways report from India, the country’s urban transport infrastructure will be under tremendous strain by 2021 with over 300 million registered vehicles (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 2021). Inadequate possibilities for public transportation, similar to the circumstances emphasized in Malaysia, contribute to the rise in private automobile ownership. Public transportation in India is inefficient due to poor frequency, unreliable services, and overcrowding during peak hours, which encourages people to drive private vehicles and exacerbates traffic jams and pollution.

    Comparatively, India shares similarities with Malaysia in terms of weather challenges impacting pedestrian mobility. Severe weather, such intense heat waves and torrential downpours, frequently discourages people from walking in Indian cities. Nonetheless, promising models from several Indian cities demonstrate potential. In order to counteract weather-related constraints, cities like Pune and Ahmedabad have made significant progress in enhancing pedestrian infrastructure by implementing pedestrian-friendly zones, tree-lined avenues, and covered walkways.

    It is feasible to apply the lessons learned from successful programs to promote walkable urban designs in India. The ‘Streets for People’ initiative in Mumbai (modelled after Ahmedabad’s ‘Janmarg’ bus rapid transit system) demonstrates the potentially revolutionary impact of giving pedestrian-centric infrastructure top priority. These programs show how to build more inclusive and accessible urban environments by integrating efficient public transportation systems with pedestrian walkways.

    In conclusion, Malaysia’s pursuit of a walkable city resonates with India’s urban transportation challenges. Any city can become a more sustainable and inclusive urban environment by incorporating effective public transportation systems, learning from successful interventions, and giving pedestrian-friendly design priority.

    References
    Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India https://morth.nic.in/

    Urban Transport News. (2022). Ahmedabad Janmarg – India’s First BRTS
    https://www.urbantransportnews.com/news/ahmedabad-janmarg-brts-bags-most-admired-brts-in-india-award-2022

    Urban Transport News. (2022). Smart Cities in India Emphasize Pedestrian-Friendly Zones and Walkways. https://issuu.com/urbantransportnews/docs/urban_transport_infrastructure_july_2022

    Reply

  4. Thank you for providing this interesting blog, discussing sustainable transport in Malaysia. Following on from your point that Malaysia needs to adopt initiatives from other countries that have been successful in reducing private car usage and improving air quality, I thought it would be useful to investigate the world’s leading car-reduction policies in Denmark and Sweden.

    32% of trips in Stockholm are made using public transport, compared to 22% in the rest of Europe and 13% in Canada (Xie, 2022).

    Denmark and Sweden both reduce private car usage through different methods. In Denmark, a high usage of the bicycle reduces trips made by car. 45% of the Danish population cycle to work or their place of study, contributing to 15% of all trips being made by bicycle (Urban Transport Group, 2014). This is partly attributed to low car ownership and investment in new cycling infrastructure. In the past, high levels of taxation on car ownership meant the ownership of cars was even lower but following economic growth, the rate of car ownership is now increasing. Revenue made from tax on car ownership is, however, still invested into public transport.

    In Sweden, public transport is used more than any other North Western European country. 15% of all trips are made by public transport compared to 6% in the Denmark and 11% in the UK (Urban Transport Group, 2014). This is due to low fares for regular users, high service frequency, high travel speeds and charged car parking. Again, local taxes are used to subsidise public transport.

    Bibliography:

    Xie, N (2022). Studying Abroad in Stockholm: Incentivising Young Adults Towards Greener Mobility. Available at: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mec/2022/01/09/studying-abroad-in-stockholm-incentivising-young-adults-towards-greener-mobility/ (Accessed 08.01.24)

    Urban Transport Group (date unknown). The Scandinavian way to better public transport. Available at: https://www.urbantransportgroup.org/system/files/general-docs/UTG%20Scandinavian%20Transport%20Report_Final.pdf. (Accessed: 08.01.24)

    Reply

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  1. This blog post is quite intriguing and insightful but as we know that urban transportation planning comes into play while designing sustainable transportation and systems that support long–term efficient accessibility. The roads, footpaths, rails, and bicycle lanes in the urban landscape support the life of the city.

    So, what is transportation planning? These public-facing initiatives acknowledge that improved transportation is essential for a sustainable economy and a high standard of living that attracts and maintains residents and visitors. Transportation planners strive to make it as easy and affordable as possible for people to get from their homes to places of work, shopping, or leisure. Thus, if the city is to achieve its goals of being both livable as well as desirable while also having sustainable mobility, proper transportation planning is necessary. Many stages of urban data gathering are necessary during the planning stage in order to achieve this.

    By achieving a balance between investments, technology, land use, and policy, transportation planning offers integrated solutions. These are intended to promote strategic accessibility and long-term growth. Before developing plans, effective transportation planning considers demographics, travel trends, and community requirements. This involves evaluating the existing infrastructure, projecting future transportation requirements, and making improvement recommendations. Any financial restrictions should be considered during the planning process. Policymakers can establish their objectives for a region through transportation planning, which helps analyze travel patterns and demographics. They may determine future policies by projecting how characteristics will change in the future.

    Then, investments and ideas for spatial planning can be modified to meet present and future demands as well as the requirements of urban mobility. The planning takes into consideration every significant factor required to improve the use of transportation systems. Analyzing and evaluating the situation of urban transport and traffic patterns at the moment is the first step. Subsequently, plans and policies are proposed using this data. These seek to offer comprehensive solutions that take longevity, accessibility, safety, and sustainability into account.
    In conclusion, the process of transportation planning is dynamic and iterative, with the goal of developing safe, effective, and sustainable transportation systems. Its objective is to satisfy the many demands of communities while promoting mobility, reducing traffic, enhancing accessibility, and minimizing environmental effect.

    References List

    Biasotti, A. (2021). What Is Urban Transportation Planning? [online] ACB Consulting Services. Available at: https://www.acbconsultingservices.com/construction-management-for-transportation/what-is-urban-transportation-planning/. (Accessed: 3 January 2024).
    Transportation Planning. (n.d.). [online] Available at: https://www.ite.org/technical-resources/topics/transportation-planning/. (Accessed: 3 January 2024).
    What is Transportation Planning: Everything You Need To Know. (n.d.). [online] Available at: https://www.remix.com/blog/what-is-transportation-planning. (Accessed: 3 January 2024).
    What is Transportation Planning? (n.d.). Plan RVA. [online] Available at: https://planrva.org/transportation/what-is-transportation-planning/. (Accessed: 3 January 2024).

    Reply

  2. This post displays the eagerness to make a sustainable transport system to improve the transport situation in Malaysia.In modern eras private vehicles are the most popular methods for people daily commuting,that’s the reason why private vehicles have a great amount of proportion in many countries,even though some countries are car-centric.The private vehicles provide convenience for people in some terms.They’re essential.
    Also the post shows nowadays’ kinds of transportion in the world which are the disadvantages and obstacle for developing sustainable transport.Too many gasoline car is the main source of air pollution for generating CO2.Meanwhile the special weather situation is another obstacle for sustainable transport.Malaysia is a topic,for example.
    In Malaysia,the lack of public transportion and special weather situation are the main obstacles.For “anti” rainy and hot weather,you have figured out a good method for citizens walking out instead of driving cars or motorcycles.This method can be helpful in some terms.Because it won’t be comfortable walking in the street if the weather is too extremly outside.But whether this method is the most suitable method for people walking?The city,country is huge,the government may construct some sheltered walkway (Nasrudin, Sarimin, and Ibrahim 2018) in pavements of the whole city.Constructing all walkway to be sheltered may be too ideal or unrealized.By the way it’s also a huge building task for the government because it must cost much money and resources.Even if sheltered walkway will be constructed they definitely need maintainance.Some day it may be a heavy burden.
    Malaysia is a car-centric country (Chan, D. (2022))and it’s obviously citizens need vehicles in daily life because vehicles have a great effect for people.Maybe make some changes in vehicles is a different method.Due to air pollution is common environmental problem all over the world.Many countries have started discussing and generating new energy vehicles-electric vehicles,like China.Electric vehicles are topical new resouces transporation instead of gasoline.It can decrease CO2 emissions in the maximum extent which is helpful for environment.The electric vehicles is worth thinking about for replacing traditional vehicles and better for promoting sustainable transport.
    References:
    Chan, D. (2022). NewStraits Times: Vehicles outnumber people in Malaysia, https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/06/803654/vehicles-outnumber-people-malaysia (Accessed 18 Dec. 2023).
    Nasrudin, N., Sarimin, M. and Ibrahim, N. (2018). Journal of the Malaysian Institute of Planners. 16.

    Reply

  3. The blog effectively illustrates Malaysia’s struggle with an urban environment that is centered around cars and the urgent need to switch to sustainable modes of transportation. The discussion on the overwhelming dependency on private vehicles is deeply resonant, reflecting the challenges faced by many rapidly urbanizing countries, including India.

    Similar to Malaysia, India is dealing with an increasing number of registered cars relative to its population. According to a Ministry of Road Transport and Highways report from India, the country’s urban transport infrastructure will be under tremendous strain by 2021 with over 300 million registered vehicles (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 2021). Inadequate possibilities for public transportation, similar to the circumstances emphasized in Malaysia, contribute to the rise in private automobile ownership. Public transportation in India is inefficient due to poor frequency, unreliable services, and overcrowding during peak hours, which encourages people to drive private vehicles and exacerbates traffic jams and pollution.

    Comparatively, India shares similarities with Malaysia in terms of weather challenges impacting pedestrian mobility. Severe weather, such intense heat waves and torrential downpours, frequently discourages people from walking in Indian cities. Nonetheless, promising models from several Indian cities demonstrate potential. In order to counteract weather-related constraints, cities like Pune and Ahmedabad have made significant progress in enhancing pedestrian infrastructure by implementing pedestrian-friendly zones, tree-lined avenues, and covered walkways.

    It is feasible to apply the lessons learned from successful programs to promote walkable urban designs in India. The ‘Streets for People’ initiative in Mumbai (modelled after Ahmedabad’s ‘Janmarg’ bus rapid transit system) demonstrates the potentially revolutionary impact of giving pedestrian-centric infrastructure top priority. These programs show how to build more inclusive and accessible urban environments by integrating efficient public transportation systems with pedestrian walkways.

    In conclusion, Malaysia’s pursuit of a walkable city resonates with India’s urban transportation challenges. Any city can become a more sustainable and inclusive urban environment by incorporating effective public transportation systems, learning from successful interventions, and giving pedestrian-friendly design priority.

    References
    Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India https://morth.nic.in/

    Urban Transport News. (2022). Ahmedabad Janmarg – India’s First BRTS
    https://www.urbantransportnews.com/news/ahmedabad-janmarg-brts-bags-most-admired-brts-in-india-award-2022

    Urban Transport News. (2022). Smart Cities in India Emphasize Pedestrian-Friendly Zones and Walkways. https://issuu.com/urbantransportnews/docs/urban_transport_infrastructure_july_2022

    Reply

  4. Thank you for providing this interesting blog, discussing sustainable transport in Malaysia. Following on from your point that Malaysia needs to adopt initiatives from other countries that have been successful in reducing private car usage and improving air quality, I thought it would be useful to investigate the world’s leading car-reduction policies in Denmark and Sweden.

    32% of trips in Stockholm are made using public transport, compared to 22% in the rest of Europe and 13% in Canada (Xie, 2022).

    Denmark and Sweden both reduce private car usage through different methods. In Denmark, a high usage of the bicycle reduces trips made by car. 45% of the Danish population cycle to work or their place of study, contributing to 15% of all trips being made by bicycle (Urban Transport Group, 2014). This is partly attributed to low car ownership and investment in new cycling infrastructure. In the past, high levels of taxation on car ownership meant the ownership of cars was even lower but following economic growth, the rate of car ownership is now increasing. Revenue made from tax on car ownership is, however, still invested into public transport.

    In Sweden, public transport is used more than any other North Western European country. 15% of all trips are made by public transport compared to 6% in the Denmark and 11% in the UK (Urban Transport Group, 2014). This is due to low fares for regular users, high service frequency, high travel speeds and charged car parking. Again, local taxes are used to subsidise public transport.

    Bibliography:

    Xie, N (2022). Studying Abroad in Stockholm: Incentivising Young Adults Towards Greener Mobility. Available at: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/mec/2022/01/09/studying-abroad-in-stockholm-incentivising-young-adults-towards-greener-mobility/ (Accessed 08.01.24)

    Urban Transport Group (date unknown). The Scandinavian way to better public transport. Available at: https://www.urbantransportgroup.org/system/files/general-docs/UTG%20Scandinavian%20Transport%20Report_Final.pdf. (Accessed: 08.01.24)

    Reply
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