Urban transport planning and policy in a changing world: Bridging the gap between theory and practice

摘要

Urban transport planning is facing an unprecedented period of change. Ever-growing city population demanding timely and efficient services, and disruptive technologies enabling new transport services are main drivers for change in urban transport (Circella & Alemi, 2018; Pojani & Stead, 2015). Besides, the COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly changed mobility habits. This is likely to produce a long-lasting impact leading to an overall rethinking with respect to urban transport planning and policy (Hensher, 2020). Policy-makers should seek to embrace these changing environments, while also tackling local and global challenges, most notably air pollution, safety and climate change. They should aim to deal with a variety of interests and objectives that characterize transport stakeholders and that can have a big impact on the success of policies. Appropriate tools and methods are needed in terms of scenario analysis and forecasts. However, results should be clearly understandable by stakeholders and decision-makers, as practical tools to support decision-making processes (Te Brommelstroet & Schrijnen, 2010).