Examples of Alternative Transportation Systems in Urban Environments

Abstract

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world's population is living in cities, with every third citizen living in heavily populated urban informal settlements. In the next 50 years, more than 3 billion people, or approximately two-thirds of future urban population, could be living in slums. What will transport in urban environments look like in the future? Decades ago, people imagined modern metropolises as cities in science fiction movies, with flying cars and buildings above the ground. In reality, futuristic urban transport pod car systems are likely to be succeeded by rickshaws and bicycles. While we aspire to start living in ultramodern cities of the new millennium, alternative transportation systems that are appearing in overcrowded metropolises around the world are bringing us a taste of reality. Urban transport planners have started to resolve this topic, considering alternative transportation systems in urban environments. Slums are not only a social and urban phenomenon, but also a product of the lack of mass public transport. This paper will try to demystify urban transport phenomenon and present the seven W’s (Who, What, When, Where, Why, for Whom, and hoW) on the topic. Specific urban environments conditions, that have generated alternative forms of public transport, can be recognized as a base for classifying different implemented key-study examples of alternative transportation systems in urban environments. In this way this paper can be used as a basic survey paper on the topic.