Knowledge-based transport planning
The truism “history repeats itself” applies to those who ignore the lessons of the past and insist on forging ahead, committing the same mistakes, and experiencing the same results. It is hoped that city authorities will learn from the mistakes of the Mirpur Road demonstration project and try to assign due importance to fuel-free transport. Given the small modal share of automobiles and the many problems they cause, there should be no provision for creating more auto-only roads within urban areas, and all existing auto-only roads should be converted into mixed-use roads by properly integrating public transit, FFT and fuel-dependent transport (FDT). If the Mirpur Road project is indeed a demonstrationin a sense an experimentthen clearly the lessons should be carefully learned before proceeding with transport planning. In this case, the lessons are startlingly clear, and point in a very different direction from that of current transport planning in Dhaka.
Again, while developing a mass transit system for a mega city like Dhaka, efforts should be made to develop an affordable system for the majority under a well-integrated multi-modal system. It would be rather unfortunate to develop a mass transit system mainly as a profit making enterprise.
Given the complexity of the transport planning process and the fact that transport and urban planning have significant effects on the economic and overall well-being of a city's residents, it is important to adopt a knowledge-based and participatory approach involving all segments of the stakeholders. Such a participatory planning process should take into account not only technical issues about feasibility and efficiency, but also the likely effects of policies on mobility, accessibility, and quality of life for all those affected, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups, those most likely to be left out of, and highly affected by, the existing planning process.
It is important to have an open discussion to explore the scientific validity of the further extensions of fuel-free transport bans and the justification of the building of mass transit mainly as a profit-making enterprise under the perspectives of sustainable transport development in Dhaka city.
We, the proponents of sustainable transport development, would be very keen to discuss the issues at lengths at any place in Dhaka between December 29, 2007 to January 21, 2008. Active participation of DTCB, DCC, police, high officials from the Ministry of Communications, academics from universities, representatives from the development partners and members of the STP advisory committee would be highly appreciated.
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