Korea’s Leap Forward in Green Transport

Lee, Changgi ; Sung, Nak Moon ; Choi, Sang Dae ; Yi, Eun Joo Allison ; Lee, Sangjoo

World Bank Group, Washington, DC

关键词: URBAN TRANSPORT;    BUSES;    BUS ROUTES;    BUS;    TRAFFIC JAMS;   

RP-ID  :  96256

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

Megacities in developing countriessuffer from serious traffic congestion, high levels ofgreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and heavy air pollution.These urban areas face a stark dilemma: economic expansionattracts more people and vehicles; but the resulting trafficand pollution hinder further growth while reducing thequality of life for their citizens. Not long ago, Seoulfaced a similar conundrum. Choked with pollution and trafficjams, it changed course and helped Korea make a historictransition to green urban transport. It shifted fromsupply-side policies focused on expanding roadways and metrolines to green demand-side policies focused on creatingtransit-oriented cities. Today, Seoul boasts apassenger-trip share for metro and bus of more than 60percent. Energy consumption in Korea’s road sector is lowerthan in other countries with similar gross domestic product(GDP). Congestion costs have been decreasing, and carbondioxide (CO2) emissions in the transport sector have beenkept under control. This path breaking transition wasfounded on multimodal solutions integrated by informationand communication technology (ICT) in a context of strongpolitical leadership and public financing.