Sustainable Urban Living is influencing the way urbanites’ Mobility
The world’s population is increasingly city-based. 53% of the population currently lives in urban areas and by 2050 this number is expected to reach 67%. 64% of all travel kilometers made are within urban environments and the total amount of urban kilometers travelled is expected to triple by 2050.
Therefore if you live in a city, then the way you get around will have evolved in recent memory and will never be the same again. Exponential population growth has meant growing traffic congestion and the rise of mass transportation systems, but the next chapter of change is now here.
Disruptive technology has forced a redefinition of mobility in urban centres. Gone are the days when owning your own mode of transport solves all your urban commuting woes.
Immediate solutions to improve Urban Mobility
To reduce the commuting woes for urbanites, here are some of the interesting concept that we are working on with the local city government:
The 15 minute city
Where all amenities, facilities, parks, health services and places of interest is within 15 minutes walk or cycle from home.
Reinvent Public Transportation
What is used to be a one-size-fits-all solutions to the public, we are looking at practical mode of transportation for urbanites to commute within the 15-minute city and inter-city travel. Such practical mode of transportation can be in the form of a 7 seater – 12 seater electric vehicle and up to 20 seating capacity energy efficient or electric shuttle van for within the city travel with high availability and accessibility. Mass transits such as MRT and 40 seater bus will be used for inter-city transportation.
Streets are built to be shared, not just for motor vehicles, but for all forms of mobility – including pedestrians. Designating ‘sharing streets’ within the commercial areas of the 15 minutes city giving priority to pedestrians. These streets are accessible to motor vehicle as well, with speed limit capped at walking speed.
The traffic calming street
Where streets within a housing area are limited to a maximum speed for motor vehicles are reduced to 25kph or walking speed.
Introduction of micro-mobility
Getting urbanites to get active and live a healthy lifestyle by walking and cycling instead of driving. The 15 minutes city with the shared infrastructure and accessibility in place, will encourage more people to use this form of mobility – or what we call the “back to basics” mobility to travel. And to provide more convenience to the communities, bike sharing or scooter sharing will be made available within the 15 minutes city.