The World Bank and the WRI Center for Transport and the Environment (EMBARQ) are hosting "2025: A Vision for Urban Transport" on Thursday January 13, 2004 at WRI and Friday January 14, 2004.
This two-day event will feature round table discussions of actual government and private sector decision makers in developing countries; World Bank project managers and specialists; private companies and NGOs. The World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) "Sustainable Mobility Project" will be the starting point for discussions during the first day at WRI on developing a long-term vision for urban transport. Experiences and challenges in implementing a long-term vision taking into account transport, environment, urban development, economic, social and political aspects will be presented and discussed during day two at the World Bank.
08:30 – 09:00 Welcome and Coffee
09:00 – 10:15 Urban Transport in 2025: a decision makers’ perspective.
A few developing country cities have been successful in implementing a long term strategy for urban development and transport planning, but many have not. A number of decision makers will present their experience and lessons learned for implementing a vision for urban transport and development: what where the key steps taken and how can a vision be implemented? What key stakeholders where and need to be involved? What where some of the key factors for success and what challenges were faced: corruption, lack of funds, focus on short-term success, pressures from interest groups and lobbyists?
Speakers: Victor Hugo Páramo, México City & Peter Midgley, World Bank
10:15 – 10:30 COFFEE BREAK
10:30 – 11:30 Challenges with specific strategies and unexpected impacts.
Many transport related measures are designed to fulfill specific needs or address sectoral objectives. Often the consequences of these measures are contra-productive: more roads create more traffic and congestion, more cleaner vehicles continue to result in higher fuel demands and increased emissions, cleaner technologies are not affordable or restrict access, advance technologies ‘kill’ local industries. A number of experiences will be presented and examples will be given on the importance of coordination of strategies between transport, urban development, environment, social and economic sectors.
Speakers: Ruth Greenspan Bell and Urvashi Narain, Resources for the Future
11:30 – 12:30 "Business as Usual": importance and limitations of private sector involvement?
A lot of emphasis is given to private sector involvement in urban transport systems, but what is the private sector really the best? What lessons have been learned from the involvement of the private sector in urban transport planning and operation? Are they always the most efficient and effective in delivering reliable and cost-effective services? How can we involve them in the projects will be given on the way contracts can be prepared and the private sector can be involved.
Speakers: Walter Hook, ITDP & Luis R. Gutierrez, EMBARQ/WRI
12:30 – 13:30 LUNCH
13:30 – 14:30 Integrated urban strategies: integrating environmental and social issues
Experts will discuss the key elements of a long term strategy and challenges involved in addressing these issues: focus on marginalized groups with poor access to transport, priority given to walking and biking, reduced travel distances and needs, reduce car travel, increase use of mass transport systems, fully integrate urban planning and transport, improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions of vehicles. What challenges and innovative kinds of financing (like public-private partnerships) needed to kick start introduction of new technologies and policy solutions as well?
Speakers: Judy Baker, World Bank
14:30 – 15:30 Involving public and stakeholders: how important is marketing?
Before implementing the vision, one needs to ‘sell’ the idea to the different agencies and the public. Marketing plays a very important role in getting public support and several strategies can be used and will be discussed in this session, focusing on lesson learned from different sectors. What are key strategies and what mechanisms.
Speakers: Edgar Enrique Sandoval, Bogotá
15:30 – 16:00 Wrap-up and Conclusions: how can we start implementing a vision?
The final section will summarize the outcomes of the day and discuss the role of development agencies to design a long-term vision and implement actions in the short run in developing country cities.
Speakers: Richard Scurfield, World Bank
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