Title: Sustainable transport development in East Asian megacities

Authors: Shigeru Morichi

Addresses: National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, 7-22-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8677, Japan

Abstract: This paper examines the special characteristics of East Asian (EA) megacities with a view that such characteristics create unique challenges and opportunities and may call for special policies in order to develop sustainable transport system. After examining the key issues, challenges and past policy responses in selected EA megacities, the paper suggests some of the strategic policies that are more relevant for Asian megacities but not discussed much in academic literature or practical policy documents. These include the timing of mass rapid transit (MRT) development, dynamic harmonisation of fare level of different public transport modes and hierarchical network of urban transport.

Keywords: megacities; urban transport; sustainable development; East Asia; sustainable transport; mass rapid transit; MRT development; fare harmonisation;fare levels; hierarchical networks; sustainability; transport policy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2009.024629

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2009 Vol.8 No.3/4, pp.229 - 246

Published online: 13 Apr 2009 *

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