Environmental costs of roads increasing
By Artemio F. Cusi III
Reporter

THE environmental cost of more roads and high-cost public transport systems in Asian cities is increasing, according to an official of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
       “The result has been overly congested, overly polluted cities with limited transport options for the poor,” Geert van der Linden, ADB vice president, said during a workshop on Climate Change Mitigation in the Transport Sector, at the ADB’s headquarters in Manila.
       Though not specifically mentioned by Van der Linden, Manila is viewed by environmental planners as one of the highly-polluted megacities.
       Increased vehicle traffic in the Philippine capital has resulted in additional roads and expensive public transport systems, which have become unaffordable for the poor. Moreover, road networks in the Philippines—a number of which have yet to be finished—have done little to improve the flow of goods from rural areas to urban centers, discouraging many small businesses from shipping and selling their products to cities due to high transport and delivery fees.
       Following the observation in other cities of Asia, the ADB vice president called for a “major shift” to reduce vehicle emissions, which could lead to irreparable climate change. The region, he said, accounts for more than one quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
       Van der Linden said that transport is not only the largest source of these emissions, but also the fastest growing. He noted that vehicle fleets double every two years in some cities.
       “To continue on the current path would be to put the lives and livelihoods of millions at risk, with profound consequences for everyone, but especially the poor,” he said, adding that environmentally sustainable approaches should be examined.
       Besides proposing to promote walking, cycling, or the establishment of low-cost bus systems, the ADB executive emphasized the need to alter current travel behavior to encourage greater use of public transport.
       “It means modifying urban development patterns to minimize the length and frequency of trips that people need to take,” he said.
       Aside from the approaches mentioned, Van der Linden also said that there is a need to reduce sulfur in fuels and allow the introduction of advanced emissions control equipment.
       Earlier, Ruben S. Reinoso, National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) infrastructure staff director said the pressure on the environment in the country’s urban areas would likely build up if infrastructure development is not distributed or used as a “catalyst” to improve the other parts of the Philippines, such as Mindanao.
       Van der Linden cited “promising signs” in other countries, though, with regard to tightened vehicle emission standards, improved fuel quality, and elimination of lead from gasoline.
       He also noted the improved public transport systems at the local government level in certain areas of Asia.