Introduction – Facilities Transportation
“Natural Tourism and Transport involves
minimal use of energy.”
(Ecotourism Australia EcoCertification)
One of the main consumers of oil and emitters of greenhouse emissions
is transport. Cars are the source of between 70-90% of atmospheric
pollution and 14% of total greenhouse emissions in Australia. Increasingly
cities are implementing an array of transport alternatives to reduce
emissions and improve community lifestyle. Cycling, for example,
is an accessible, healthy alternative and produces low-emissions
(except for the increased CO2 from cyclist’s heightened breathing,
and the embodied energy and greenhouse gases in the extra food).
Electricity-assisted bikes and electric buggies are also playing
an increasingly important role for local transport, and can help
solve parking and congestion problems too, as well as enhancing
equity. Car sharing is another viable option – if one in ten
car drivers started car sharing with others, commuter mileage would
decrease by 11%. Much is also being done to explore new ways of
powering vehicles that use less oil and produce fewer emissions.
‘Hybrid vehicles’ are very quickly gaining popularity
around the world. The key approach is to use a combination of fuel-efficient
cars, urban planning, public transport and renewable fuels/energy
sources to deliver the desired access services as fuel-efficient
cars alone can’t solve problems such as congestion, equity
for the elderly, young and the disabled.
Case study – An example of what is possible
Cities worldwide are developing sustainable projects infrastructure,
transportation, agriculture, and waste management, paving the way
for green cities of the future. Bogota, Columbia underwent a major
transformation in infrastructure including restricting car travel;
building numerous parks, bikeways, and pedestrian zones; and creating
a high-tech bus rapid transit (BRT) system inspired by the BRT system
in Curitiba, Brazil. Bogota`s BRT cost one-twentieth of an equivalent
light rail system and was a good alternative for the city. The savings
from the transport system were used to build schools and libraries
and extending the transport system into poorer outlying areas. The
Netherlands is ahead of the race to develop car-free towns and zones.
Dutch cities with populations over 50,000 people have car-free shopping
districts and all new towns must incorporate amenities for pedestrians
and cyclists, even employers must locate new facilities near transport
stops. The town of Groningen, is the country’s leading city
with 47% of urban trips made by bike, 26% on foot and just 23% by
car.
References: Hargroves, K. Smith,
M.H. (2005) The Natural Advantage of Nations: Business Opportunities,
Innovation & Governance in the 21st Century, Earthscan, London.
Chapter 10: Sustainable Urban Transport, p 381. View Chapter online
companion www.naturaledgeproject.net/NAON ch19.aspx
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