Rethinking the Role of Metropolitan Planning in Sustainable Development

CPN-MOC Conference June 14-16, 2006 Beijing

Qing Shen Professor of Urban Studies and Planning School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation University of Maryland, College Park
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Presentation Outline
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Connection between urban land use, urban transportation, and sustainable development Rethink the role of metropolitan planning Challenges and opportunities for urban planning research and practice in China

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Connection between Urban Land Use, Urban Transportation, and Sustainable Development

Dimensions of sustainable development

Definition of sustainable development
Meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (WCED, 1987)

Dimensions
Environmental Economic Equity

Urban focus of sustainable development

Sustainable development is focusing increasingly on urban areas because they are where most people will reside and where economic activities will be most intensive How the future cities are built and the future urban population live, work, and travel will be a key determinant of sustainability

Consequences of low-density auto-oriented patterns of urban development

Environmental (more details to be provided) Economic (more details to be provided) Equity (more details to be provided)

2. Rethink the Role of Metropolitan Planning

Function of metropolitan planning

Urban planning at the metropolitan scale Manipulation of urban form and structure fundamentally determine how people could live and travel

Illusive effects of metropolitan planning on sustainable development

Effects on actual land use and travel outcomes are unclear Current levels of resource consumption and emissions are unsustainable

Importance for rethinking the role of metropolitan planning

Uncertainties High risk Irreversibility Changing conditions for plan making and governmental policy

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Resetting guiding principles

Create choices Maintain the capacity to adapt Influence behavior Example in land use and transportation planning
Proposed study by Levine, Shen, and others From automobility to accessibility and adaptability

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Modified performance measures

Example in land use and transportation planning
Proposed study by Levine, Shen, and others Three measures (accessibility, minimum required travel, and viability of public transportation) Similar measures can be devised for land use

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3. Challenges and Opportunities for Urban Planning Research and Practice in China

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Chinas recent policy developments

The emphasis on sustainability The recognition of disadvantaged population groups The emphasis on developing a harmonious society (diversity does not translate into polarization and social conflicts)

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Global importance
details to be provided

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Knowledge creation
details to be provided

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Institutional reform
details to be provided

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Some suggestions
Consider jointly land use and transportation (e.g. housing and transportation costs of residential options should be examined simultaneously) Broaden and enrich the functionality of metropolitan planning Learn from different cities
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