Chapter 1: Sustainable Urban Transport – An Introduction

As more people choose to live in urban areas, a key element for the success and sustainability of cities is a transport system that is able to meet the needs for economic growth and at the same time care for the environment and people’s quality of life. This is challenged by the positive contributions of transport to society in terms of opportunities for employment, education and leisure, and at the same time the high costs associated with pollution, congestion, traffic crashes, noise and other externalities. Sustainable urban transport is an attempt to contribute positively to communities and their built environments.