Speaker: Dr. David Banister, Professor of Transport Planning at University College London

One of the major challenges to urban planning at the end of the century is the problem that continuous growth in traffic has had on the achievement of sustainable development. This presentation will present the major elements of the debate from a decision makers, together with the very considerable barriers to implementation.

The major issues to be addressed if transport is to confirm with the principle of sustainable development will be outlined. The actions available will be grouped under the three headings of technology, economic and financial, and regulation and planning. The particular problems in Europe relate to the shortage of space, higher densities and the protection of open space. It will be argued that high quality livable cities must be the basis for sustainable development and policies should be implemented to achieve that objective, so the outward migration of residents is reversed. Sustainable living requires people to want to live in close proximity in attractive, affordable urban environment.

Recent research in Europe and the UK on the options available at the strtegic and the city level will be cited to illustrate the actions that are now being considered. To achieve sustainable development requires the commitment and involvement of all affected parties in that process, so that imaginative and effective measures can be implemented.

David Banister is Professor of Transport Planning at University College London. He has published widely on issues related to transport, the environment and sustainable development including some 14 books in the last 20 years. His most recent book is entitled Transport Policy and the Environment (published March 1998) - this volume summarizes the latest economic and social research in the UK from 15 projects in a major reserach programm which was directed by David Banister (1992-1996). His research team is involved with project on scenario building, strategic assesment in Europe, and travel reduction strategies for the European Union, with a series of linked projects on transport and sustainable development (including GIS and energy/emissions modeling) for the UK research councils, and a series of other projects on land use and transport, travel reduction targets, regional sustainability assessment, and the links between land, energy and transport for a range of UK and European clients. Associated with this research programm is an active doctoral research team (some 10 PhD and 20 MPhil students) working on topics related to sustainability.