Resource information
What do Bangkok, Cairo, Lagos, Mumbai,
and Nairobi have in common? These megacities, like others in
burgeoning emerging market economies, are magnets for people
seeking better opportunities. They also suffer from serious
traffic congestion, high levels of greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions, and heavy air pollution. These urban areas face a
stark dilemma: economic expansion attracts more people and
vehicles; but the resulting traffic and pollution hinder
further growth while reducing the quality of life for their
citizens. In spite of rapid growth, urbanization, and
motorization, Korea has succeeded so well in expanding the
use of public transport that it has stabilized energy
consumption per capita in the road sector. In 2010, Korea
took aim at a new 10-year goal with its green transport
master plan: reduce GHG emissions by one-third while
maintaining its competitiveness. To do so, Korea seems
poised to create more cutting-edge transport innovations
that can serve as models for other countries.
