Safe, Attractive, and Sustainable Cities: A mobility- oriented approach Master’s Thesis Author: James Speirs SCIPER N°: 276118 Supervisor: Prof. Matthias Finger Course: Innovative Governance of Large Urban Systems (IGLUS) Acknowledgements I would like to thank my parents for their patience and love without which none of this would have happened. My gratitude to friends and family for their support and guidance throughout this process. Particularly, Francine, Hanna, Emma, Michael, Stuart, Tara, Astrid, Brenda, and Nicco for advising and inspiring me. I am indebted to Think City and the research fellowship which allowed me to better understand Malaysian cities and the complexities which shape them. Abstract Cities are complex systems which shape and are shaped by their transportation networks. Many cities have become dependent on cars as their principal mode of mobility. The consequences have been expensive, environmentally destructive, and deadly. While many acknowledge cars as problematic, they have become entrenched. This dissertation examines what alternatives cities have, the advantages of the alternatives, and the difficulties in implementing them. 1 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 Research Question ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Key Concerns .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Abbreviations .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 6 Cities as Systems ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Literature Review .................................................................................................................................... 7 Scope ........................................................................................................................................................ 9 Multi-dimensional Approach ............................................................................................................ 9 Focus on Malaysia ............................................................................................................................ 11 Chapter 2: The Cost of Cars ................................................................................................................... 15 Economic Cost ..................................................................................................................................... 15 Path Dependency.............................................................................................................................. 15 Congestion ......................................................................................................................................... 17 Infrastructure: Looking Ahead ....................................................................................................... 18 Road Collision Costs ........................................................................................................................ 19 Social Cost ............................................................................................................................................. 20 Dividing Lines: Class and Race....................................................................................................... 21 Elderly People ................................................................................................................................... 24 Children .............................................................................................................................................. 25 Case Study 1 – SJK Vivekananda ....................................................................................................... 27 Environmental cost .............................................................................................................................. 29 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 29 Chapter 3: Healthy, Safer Cities .............................................................................................................. 30 Healthier Cities ...................................................................................................................................... 30 Air Pollution ...................................................................................................................................... 30 Noise Pollution ................................................................................................................................. 33 Physical Activity and Associated Health ....................................................................................... 34 Safer Cities, Safer Streets ..................................................................................................................... 35 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 37 Chapter 4: Ineffectual Solutions ............................................................................................................. 38 Increased Roads – Induced Demand ................................................................................................. 38 Smart City Technology ........................................................................................................................ 39 2 Electric / Autonomous Vehicles ........................................................................................................ 40 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 40 Chapter 5: Effective Solutions - Incentives .......................................................................................... 41 Land Use Planning................................................................................................................................ 41 Mixed-Use Development ................................................................................................................ 42 Transport Oriented Development (TOD) ................................................................................... 43 Polycentricism ................................................................................................................................... 43 Case Study 2 – Kota Kinabalu’s density distribution ...................................................................... 45 Prioritise Safety ..................................................................................................................................... 46 Road Design .......................................................................................................................................... 47 Traffic calming .................................................................................................................................. 49 Pedestrian Infrastructure ..................................................................................................................... 50 Accessibility ....................................................................................................................................... 52 Pedestrian Bridges and Underpasses ............................................................................................. 55 Mixed-Use Paving and Shared Spaces ........................................................................................... 58 Integrated Public Transport ................................................................................................................ 60 Single System – Single Ticket .......................................................................................................... 60 Data – Open and Accessible ........................................................................................................... 61 Buses, BRT, and Rail ........................................................................................................................ 61 Taxis and Ridesharing ...................................................................................................................... 62 Bike-sharing ....................................................................................................................................... 64 Case Study 3 - Sunway BRT: a cautionary case ................................................................................ 65 Chapter 6: Effective Solutions - Disincentives ..................................................................................... 67 Vehicle Tax 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