Abstract

For the first time in human history, the majority of the world's population no longer lives in rural areas, but in cities. Global urbanisation goes hand in hand with the rapid social and spatial mobilisation of entire societies. While urban and transport development in industrialised countries has now reached a certain degree of saturation, it is progressing at a tremendous pace in other regions of the world. If these countries follow the Western example, negative effects can be expected on a global scale.

The question therefore arises as to whether there are also examples of alternative development paths that enable sustainable urban and transport development. After all, there is every indication that the conventional concepts of urban and transport technology developed in Europe over a hundred years ago are no longer appropriate today in view of the limited resources and ecological consequences.

The primary aim of this study is to present for the first time an inventory of global urban and transport development in order to gain a full understanding of the extent of the global challenges. Against this background, the study concludes with an offer as to the direction that could be taken in the future in order to adequately address the emerging problems.

Authors

Schöller-Schwedes, Oliver; Rammler, Stephan