Imagine Bangalore as a city where it is pleasant and safe to walk to shops, parks, schools, or work. Where streets are safe to cycle on; for children, senior citizens and the physically challenged to cross. Where your work place is easily reachable by bus or rail. Where it is safe to bicycle or walk to the nearest metro station or bus stop. Where buses move quickly in bus lanes and get priority at traffic signals. Where you do not have to shout over traffic noise to have a conversation, and are not suffocated by traffic fumes at congested streets.
The key to realising this vision is Sustainable Transport.
Join us at the city’s first sustainable transportation Unconference!
Mobilicity
At MobiliCity, a diverse group of citizens and experts will engage in open dialogue, share ideas, and propose forward-looking strategies and solutions for accessible, equitable, efficient and environmentally sustainable transportation in Bangalore.
Date: 21 November 2009 (2 days to go!)
Time: 9:30 AM
Venue: CiSTUP, IISC (see note below)
Mobilicity is co-hosted by Praja and CiSTUP.
To know more about Mobilicity, click here.
Have questions? See our FAQ section here. Have more? Send them to us here.
Please Note: [1] Use entrance located next to Shri Maramma temple circle. This is at the north-side dead end of Margosa Road where it meets Sankey Road. [2] Limited parking is available at the venue, on a first come first served basis. In the spirit of Mobilicity, we encourage you to use public and/or non-motorised forms of transport on your way to the event. [3] Please carry a photo ID card with you, as security may ask for identification. All belongings (laptops, etc) must be declared at the entrance gate.
Please Note: Number of seats for the panel discussion is limited. Entry will be on first come first serve basis.
What is Sustainable Transport?
Sustainable transport is about transport policies, systems and technologies that allow for people and goods to move comfortably, efficiently, and quickly, with an emphasis on safety. It means a transport system that is planned and designed to benefit everyone equally, whether they walk, drive or use public transport. It means a transport system designed to have the least impact on the economy and the environment in the present and in the future.
What's Wrong With Our Current Transport System?
It's Environmentally Irresponsible
Transport systems have an enormous negative impact on air quality and the environment, climate change and local air pollution. Transport accounts for about a quarter of world energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from transport are increasing at a faster rate than any other energy intensive sector. The transport sector is also responsible for increased noise levels, natural resource depletion, biodiversity and habitat loss, acidification and water pollution. All this at a time when fossil fuel depletion and climate change is the greatest challenge the world faces today!
Who really benefits from Sustainable Transport?
Simply put, everyone does!
For the car/bike user:
1. Less congested roads, reduced travel time
2. Less stressful drive
3. Cleaner air to breathe, for you and your family
4. Safer drive/ride
5. Choice to switch to a non-motorized, more healthy method of traveling that is as comfortable and stress-free
6. Your children can walk and cycle on the streets just like you did as a kid!
7. Satisfaction of contributing to a cleaner, greener city and planet
8. Savings in terms of fuel, vehicle maintenance and doctors’ visits
Why is Sustainable Transport relevant to Bangalore?
The short answer is, for all the money spent on infrastructure development in Bangalore, we Bangaloreans still do not travel faster or more comfortably than we did before.
In Bangalore, which has seen enormous growth in the last few years, infrastructure development has largely been based on the premise that the most significant (though not necessarily the most used) mode of transport is the private vehicle. As a result, the focus of the solution to transportation problems has been road widening. This has involved cutting down trees along the roads and the reduction or removal of footpaths, at a cost to the overall ecology of the city and the safety of cyclists and pedestrians - often the economically weaker sections, senior citizens, children and women. Ironically, this has only resulted in more private vehicles on the road. As a result we now have longer travel times, pollution, increased frustration and untold hardships for private vehicle users, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.