Transport and Urban Form in Chinese Cities

Chinese cities are acknowledged worldwide as being the leaders in non-motorised transport. Many other aspects of their transport and urban form are also conducive to low levels of automobile dependence. However, urban China is changing rapidly with very high rates of motorisation and a number of policies and factors that are pushing their transport systems towards greater reliance on cars and motor cycles. Development of quality public transport systems appears not to be keeping pace with the emphasis on private transport. This paper briefly explores how Chinese cities compared on key transport and urban form factors to a large sample of other cities from around the world in 1995. It further examines a range of important policies and factors that are shaping Chinese urban transport systems and explores the potential of Chinese cities to embrace the ideal of “sustainable urban transport”, as opposed to increasing automobile dependence.