Need for people-oriented transport policy stressed
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
FE Report
There is need for a people-oriented transport policy aiming at maximising door-to-door mobility and accessibility of people and goods, speakers at a round table Tuesday said.
They also said the policy should be knowledge-based and participatory to ensure a sustainable and healthy transport system in the city.
They were speaking at a round table on the expectations for a quality urban transportation system, organised by URP Department of BUET, Paribesh Bachao Andolon and WBB Trust held at National Press Club in the city.
The speakers also urged the government to adopt an integrated demand-and-supply management for the development of a sustainable transport system for Dhaka city.
Addressing the round table international transport expert Mahabubul Bari said some of the policy directives of the Strategic Transport Policy (STP) seem to be progressive and positive, but the basic approach of the policy is fundamentally flawed, based as it is on the belief that transport means cars, and focuses on providing benefits to cars.
"Limiting or banning sustainable transport modes like low-cost public transport, fuel-free transport (FFT) and pedestrians, which represent the majority of trips is basically anti-people. Thus the STP concentrates on the movement of vehicles on a road network," he said.
He said in order to maximise mobility and accessibility, the policy should aim at maximisation of door-to-door movement of people and goods, not the movement of vehicles.
He said the STP has presented a set of recommendations which allocate 63 per cent of the resources for 8.0 per cent of the total passengers, i.e. metro passengers and 30 per cent of the funds for the development of car-friendly projects, though cars are used by only 5.0 per cent of the city's population.
Mr Bari said the proposed elevated express way will deteriorate the city's traffic system and such projects are being discouraged in many countries.
Bangladesh has also decided to implement the Dhaka Integrated Flood Control Embankment-cum-Eastern Bypass Road Multipurpose Project with its own funds as it failed to find any donor to finance USD 400 million mega project.
The main objectives of the project are to protect the people in the 124 square kilometre eastern part of Dhaka city from flooding and to reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka.
Mr Bari said the Eastern Bypass will be another concrete jungle in the eastern side of the capital with a potential for huge negative environmental and ecological impacts.
There is need for a people-oriented transport policy aiming at maximising door-to-door mobility and accessibility of people and goods, speakers at a round table Tuesday said.
They also said the policy should be knowledge-based and participatory to ensure a sustainable and healthy transport system in the city.
They were speaking at a round table on the expectations for a quality urban transportation system, organised by URP Department of BUET, Paribesh Bachao Andolon and WBB Trust held at National Press Club in the city.
The speakers also urged the government to adopt an integrated demand-and-supply management for the development of a sustainable transport system for Dhaka city.
Addressing the round table international transport expert Mahabubul Bari said some of the policy directives of the Strategic Transport Policy (STP) seem to be progressive and positive, but the basic approach of the policy is fundamentally flawed, based as it is on the belief that transport means cars, and focuses on providing benefits to cars.
"Limiting or banning sustainable transport modes like low-cost public transport, fuel-free transport (FFT) and pedestrians, which represent the majority of trips is basically anti-people. Thus the STP concentrates on the movement of vehicles on a road network," he said.
He said in order to maximise mobility and accessibility, the policy should aim at maximisation of door-to-door movement of people and goods, not the movement of vehicles.
He said the STP has presented a set of recommendations which allocate 63 per cent of the resources for 8.0 per cent of the total passengers, i.e. metro passengers and 30 per cent of the funds for the development of car-friendly projects, though cars are used by only 5.0 per cent of the city's population.
Mr Bari said the proposed elevated express way will deteriorate the city's traffic system and such projects are being discouraged in many countries.
Bangladesh has also decided to implement the Dhaka Integrated Flood Control Embankment-cum-Eastern Bypass Road Multipurpose Project with its own funds as it failed to find any donor to finance USD 400 million mega project.
The main objectives of the project are to protect the people in the 124 square kilometre eastern part of Dhaka city from flooding and to reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka.
Mr Bari said the Eastern Bypass will be another concrete jungle in the eastern side of the capital with a potential for huge negative environmental and ecological impacts.