Public transport and sustainable cities

Cities depend on movement. Every day, thousands or even millions of people need to travel between homes, schools, workplaces, shops, hospitals, cultural institutions, sports facilities, and other destinations, while goods and services must also move through the same urban space. The way a city organises this movement has a major influence on its environment, economy, social life, and physical appearance. If most journeys depend on private cars, cities need large amounts of land for roads, intersections, parking spaces, petrol stations, and other vehicle infrastructure. As car use increases, traffic congestion can grow, travel times become less predictable, public space is increasingly occupied by vehicles, and air and noise pollution can become more serious.…