1. Asian Urbanization, Transport Development and Environmental Sustainability: Is sustainable transport still possible for Asian cities?
Presentation by
Bindu N. Lohani, Dr. Eng.
Director General and Chief Compliance Officer
Regional and Sustainable Development Department Asian Development Bank
International Conference on Environment and
Transport
3 August Nagoya, Japan

2. Population and Urbanization Growth in Asia
0.575
1.367
1.48
2.664
2.4
3.6
3.8
4.8 1 2 3 4 5
1975
2000
2003
2030
Population
(billions)
Total
Urban
The Urban Challenge
Effectively manage rapid urban growth
Eliminate poverty
Protect the environment
Mobilize the necessary technical and financial resources so that
cities achieve their full economic potential
Install good governance and sustain institutional development
Rapid Urbanization
In 2003, Asia’s urban population is Billion which is 20% of the
world’s population
1 in 3 Asians lives in cities.
By 2030, Asia’s urban population may reach Billion which is
30% of the world’s population
1 in 2 Asians will live in cities.
The urban population is growing by some 40 million a year.
Source: World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations

3. The Emergence and Growth of Megacities
Population (million)
Tokyo
Bombay
Lagos
Dhaka
Sao Paulo
Karachi
Mexico City
New York
Jakarta
Calcutta
Delhi
Metro Manila
Shanghai
Los Angeles
Buenos Aires
Cairo
Istanbul
Beijing
Rio de Janeiro
Osaka
Tianjin
Hyderabad
Bangkok
26.4
26.1
23.2
21.1
20.4
19.2
17.4
17.3
16.8
14.8
14.6
14.1
13.8
12.5
12.3
11.9
11.0
10.7
10.5
10.1
Tokyo
Mexico City
Bombay
Sao Paulo
New York
Lagos
Los Angeles
Calcutta
Shanghai
Buenos Aires
Dhaka
Karachi
Delhi
Jakarta
Osaka
Metro Manila
Beijing
Rio de Janeiro
Cairo
19.8
18.1
17.8
16.6
13.4
13.1
12.9
12.6
12.3
11.8
11.7
11.0
10.9
10.8
10.6
Emergence of Megacities
Megacities are homes to 10 million or more people
In 2000 there where 19 megacities, 11 of which are in Asia
By 2015, there will be 23 megacities, 12 of which will be in Asia.
These cities will include; Bombay, Dhaka, Karachi, Calcutta, Jakarta,
Delhi, Metro Manila, Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Seoul, and Hyderabad.
1950
1975
2000
2015
New York
Tokyo
New York
Shanghai
Mexico City 11.2
Sao Paulo
Source: United Nations, 2004

4. Urbanization and Productivity
Countries like Korea, Malaysia, Fiji and Thailand with a high level of
urbanization enjoy higher gross domestic product (GDP) per capita
than countries with a low level of urbanization like Nepal and Bhutan.
In 2003, Korea had 80% of its population in urban areas and a GDP of
$12,000 per capita while Nepal had 15% of its population in urban
areas and a GDP of only $240 per capita.
Malaysia and Thailand have 64 percent and 32 percent respectively of
their population living in urban areas and gross domestic product per
capita of $4,000 and $2,270 respectively.
Sources: World Development Indicators, World Bank World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations.

5. Air Pollution Trends Trends of Aggregated Annual Averages of SPM, PM10, & SO2 for selected Asian Cities (1993 – 2003)
Most of the cities have been able to reduce levels of SO2 to ‘safe’ levels with the exception of Beijing and Hanoi
NO2 levels gradually increasing levels and just above the WHO guidelines
Almost all cities have been able to reduce levels of SPM and PM10 compared to the ’90s level, however levels continue to remain above the guidelines except those of the more developed cities
Air Pollution. The extent of air pollution varies within the region.
Levels of ambient particulates – smoke particles and dust – are
generally thrice the world average.
Lead emissions from vehicles are above safe levels.
Ambient level of sulfur dioxide which causes acid rain, is 50
percent higher in Asia than in either Africa or Latin America.
SPM Guidelines = µg/m3 (WHO, 1979)
PM10 Limit = 50 µg/m3 (USEPA, 1997)
SO2 Guideline = 50 µg/m3 (WHO, 1999)
Source: CAI-Asia, 2004

6. Carbon dioxide Emissions
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
1990
1998
1999
2005
2010
2015
2020
miilion tons C equivalent
    Other Asia
    South Korea
    India
    China
    Australasia
    Japan
Source: International Energy Agency, 2002

7. Emerging City Actions
Singapore – congestion pricing and vehicle ownership control
Seoul – demolished elevated highway to restore waterway, bike lanes, footpaths, and green spaces
30 cities in Asia have introduced or are planning Bus-Rapid Transit Systems

8. Sustainable Urban Transportation (SUT) Planning
“Asian countries and cities urgently need a policy framework which prioritizes the movement of goods and persons instead of vehicles”

9. Sustainable Urban Transport
Build new institutional capacities and regulatory frameworks
Land-use planning concept integrating affordable, environment-friendly public transport and respects non-motorized transport
Sustained political will
Expanded investments in mass-transit, roads, etc.
Promote vehicle emission technology
Increased private sector involvement

10. Contribution of the Development Community
Increased investment for urban transportation and urban environment management
Policy advise on sustainable urban transport to central and local governments
Together with investments on the hardware ADB has helped governments, NGOs, local governments and private sector to
institute reforms
build capacities of institutions
developed human resource
ADB has also worked with NGOs in view of increasing role of local communities and the changing roles of local government
Examples of investments on capacity building initiatives are:
Suzhou Creek Rehabiliation Project
Pasig River Rehabilitation Project
Provision of housing finance can be shown in the examples of
Housing Finance Project in Mongolia
Slum Upgrading and Housing Microfinance in the Philippines and Indonesia

11. ADB’s Response: Financing for Sustainable Urban Transport
ADB pilot program enabling sub-national governments (cities) to obtain direct loans
Promotion of Public-Private Partnerships
Facilitating funding for sustainable transport projects through Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Support to regional multi-stakeholder initiatives – Global Road Safety Partnership and Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities

12. 5 Key Sustainable Urban Transport Measures for Asian Cities
Understand, analyze, and raise awareness on the relationships and economic costs of air pollution, traffic congestion, and road accidents
Develop pro-public transport policies
Acknowledge the importance of non-motorized transport including pedestrian access
Develop road maps for the introduction of cleaner vehicles and fuels
Develop and implement sustainable land-use plan which prioritize the movement of goods and vehicles
WAY FORWARD
The need to create enabling environment for a more robust public private
sector participation, create sustainable cities and engage communities to
sustain participation in development.
Technology and the future of cities
Developing innovative financing approaches.
Creating, enabling environment for private sector investments.
Pursuing new thinking and approaches in the light of emerging urban
issues, e.g. City region states, City development strategy etc.
Strengthening collaboration with development partners and
stakeholders.

13. Thank you.