by Joe Peach at This Big City
We hear an awful lot about transport these days, be it mega projects such as the UK’s High Speed Rail 2, futuristic schemes such as the Hyperloop or the buzz around BRTs in cities across the globe. However, less talked about is the issue of existing transport schemes and whether old schemes are sustainable to maintain or whether cities should replace existing infrastructure with something new.
That was exactly what This Big City and Future Cape Town discussed during last week’s #citytalk tweetchat. There was a lot of talk and debate with an audience from every corner of the globe. Below are some of our favourite posts:
Urban transport is a challenge. What are the problems (and solutions!) in your city?
A1: Not enough competition in public transport, and too much say by the operators (protecting own interests over commuters) #citytalk
— Nicholas Webb (@NickAndWebb) October 16, 2013
What are some “big fixes” to transport that are often overlooked but relatively cheap?
A2: Consider use of BRT lanes for other modes of public transport? #CityTalk — Rashiq Fataar (@RashiqFataar) October 16, 2013
Q2) when repaving roads add room or at least symbols or lanes for cyclists! How much can that extra bit of paint cost?? #citytalk — Camilla Mahon (@camillacaros) October 16, 2013
Ticket services “@thisbigcity: Q2 What are “big fixes” to transport that are often overlooked but relatively cheap? #citytalk” — choirur roziqin (@choirur) October 16, 2013
How can citizens be made part of a city’s transport infrastructure decision making process?
@thisbigcity A3: crowd sourcing data collection is one possible way. Might drive interest in the subsequent planning process #citytalk — Lucas Lindsey (@urbnist) October 16, 2013
Do cities always need new transport infrastructure or can the old just be fixed or modified?
#CityTalk A4 ‘New’ is often seen as the transport planner’s solution – better MANAGEMENT of existing infrastucture capacity should come 1st
— steve inch (@1sjichi) October 16, 2013
What approach should cities take with informal transport operators? Integrate? Ignore?
A5 Informal (by my definition) is outside the regulated system. If formal is good, informal will dissolve. Pfft! #citytalk
— Rory Williams (@carbonsmart) October 16, 2013
A5: integration is imperative…after all it is people’s livelihoods we are talking about #citytalk
— Fruitful Urbanism (@FruitfulUrban) October 16, 2013
Which cities are making good use of existing transport infrastructure, by making improvements?
Seoul, SKorea is demolishing over-passes in favor of pedestrian and cycling paths to compliment their very successful rail system #citytalk
— Fruitful Urbanism (@FruitfulUrban) October 16, 2013
Feature Image via Ingy the Wingy