The 5th World Metropolitan Transport Development Forum: Transport System Innovation in the Context of Coordinated Development of City Clusters

OCT 26-27, 2020 | Global

GHG emissions from mobility is expected to double by 2050, of which 70% is contributed by passenger vehicles. Countries experiencing rapid urbanization are increasingly faced with the challenges of motorization, including traffic congestion, and carbon emissions and air pollution.  Since the first national urbanization strategy was adopted in 2014, China has moved to an advanced stage which features the transition from expansional development of a single city to the development of city clusters, and to more “people-oriented” urban growth.  Improving transport service for metropolises and city agglomerations is critical to ensure sustainable mobility intra- and inter cities in the new era.   

Binyam Reja (Practice Manager, IEAT2) joined this high-level event and shared the policy and institutional challenges and opportunities for cities to embrace the new mobility paradigm of the Shared, Electric and Automated Mobility (SEAM), which can eventually contribute to the objective of accessible, efficient, safe and green mobility to all developing countries (SUM4ALL).  Globally, with a SEAM approach the number of vehicles can be reduced from 2.1 billion to 0.5 billion by 2050, and carbon emissions lowered from 4,600Mt to 700Mt without under-meeting the increased mobility demand.  While clean and accessible transportation is possible with new mobility technologies, coordinated public-private action to achieve the goals is fundamental. Concerted effort from policy makers, business and citizens are needed to prevent irreversible global warming; these efforts must begin quickly.

Since 2015, the World Metropolitan Transport Development Forum hosted by Beijing Municipal Transport Commission has provided a platform for urban policy makers, researchers and businesses from around the world to discuss transport governance issues, explore solutions and foster collaboration to address traffic congestions and adverse climate and environment impact.  The annual events were participated by representatives from New York, London, Los Angeles, Berlin, Mexico, Tokyo, Seoul and Singapore, international organizations and the private sector.