Integrating urban design, land use and transport policies to contribute towards sustainable development. The bus rapid transit system (BRT) in three developing-country metropolises: Curitiba, Beijing and Johannesburg

Abstract

GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions can be reduced by shifting travel to a more efficient mode, which can be achieved by offering high quality public transport integrated to urban design strategies and land use policies. However, there is a scarcity of efficient and low-cost alternatives to improve urban transport and tackle GHG emissions. In this context, the development of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system integrated with land use policies and urban design strategies is gaining attention as a cost-effective alternative to
help addressing poor accessibility and rising GHG emissions. Firstly, this paper presents the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as an effective and low cost alternative to help addressing increasing traffic demands and rising GHG emissions. In the second part, a review presents the experience of three developing-country metropolises that have implemented a BRT system Curitiba (Brazil), Beijing (China) and Johannesburg (South Africa). The review highlights empirical
evidence of the development of creative solutions, which integrate transport infrastructure, land use policies and urban design strategies for fostering sustainable mobility and GHG emission reduction.