Publication Name

CITIES

Inspired by similar schemes in Curitiba and Bogota, Jakarta built a 12.9 ki-

lometre rapid transport system in nine months. There are now six further

routes, and plans for more, all using diesel and compressed natural gas

buses. The network saves an estimated 120 000 tonnes of CO

a year, and

has improved safety and efficiency.

Mexico City has replaced 3 000 taxis with more fuel-efficient models. The

municipal government, with support from a local bank, is providing 15 000

pesos (approximately US$1 375) to each driver wishing to replace his old taxi

with a new vehicle, costing about 70 000 pesos (US$6 420). The remaining

sum is repaid via a bank loan over about four years, with drivers paying 760

to 870 pesos a month (about US$70–80). The city’s 103 000 taxis account

for 35 per cent of transport emissions. The programme aims to replace 10

000 old taxis by 2012. The project shows how vital it is to work in partnership

with other parts of government, including the environment and transport

ministries.

Seoul is trying – with some success – to show its people that there are other

ways of getting round the city apart from the car. Its Weekly No Driving Day

programme is improving air quality, cutting congestion and saving energy.

Every year, 2 million cars stay off the road, reducing CO

vehicle emissions

by 10 per cent – a total of 2 million tonnes of CO

. The improved air quality

is improving residents’ health, saving the city millions annually. The pro-

gramme – which is voluntary – works because it is applied on weekdays,

which encourages people to find other ways to and from work. Participants

are given incentives, like discounted petrol, free parking and car washing, to

use alternate modes of transport on their chosen day. They are encouraged

to take part as often as they can. Those participating just three times a year,

for example, will have their incentives removed or reduced.

Cycling can be made attractive even in chilly northern Europe. In the Dan-

ish capital, Copenhagen, “the City of Cyclists”, more than 36 per cent of the

population cycles to work every day, and the city saves about 90 000 tonnes

of CO

emissions annually. Bikes are as fast as cars and buses over distances

of up to five kilometres. Despite a dramatic growth in their use during the

last ten years, the number of accidents has fallen substantially. There are