This document discusses urban transportation planning and public health. It notes that over 50% of the global population now lives in urban areas, up from 30% in 1950 and 14% in 1900. As cities have grown, citizens are becoming less physically active and more obese. Sustainable urban transport systems that avoid, shift, and improve mobility can save lives by making cities safer and more accessible for all users, including the elderly, disabled, poor, children, and commuters. Recommendations include reducing vehicle speeds, which can significantly reduce pedestrian fatalities and injuries, as well as implementing road safety audits and transit-oriented development to encourage walking, biking, and public transit use. The Cheonggyecheon River renewal project

1. Ben Welle
Senior Associate Urban & Transport
Planner
May 7, 2013 - Washington, DC

2. Urban millennium
Over 50% in 2007
30% in 1950
14% in 1900
The Global Population
3% in 1800

6. Citizens are getting less daily activity and more
obese – around the world
Source: Designed to Move

7. Sustainable Urban Transport
And Development Can Save
Lives
Avoid
Shift
Improve

8. Who is using the city and how
can they be safe and active?
Elderly & disabled
The Poor
Children
Commuters
Customers
Citizens
Visitors
Men & Women

11. Reduce speeds
• 90% of pedestrians survive
when a car hits at 35km/h
• 75% of pedestrians survive
when a car hits at 45 km/h
• 80% reduction in serious
injuries after 40 km/h speed
zone

24. HEALTH & ROAD SAFETY
Road Safety Audits
•
Intersection in Brazil
Recommended redesign from a road
safety audit

25. URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Transit Oriented Development
Increased transit use, walking and biking
More destinations closer to transit
Lower car use
Lower speeds
Residents are safer and more physically active

26. Cheonggyecheon River, Seuol, South Korea

27. Urban renewal project
Cheonggyecheon River, Seoul, South Korea

28. Ben Welle
EMBARQ
+1.202.729.7729
bwelle@wri.org