Three Transport Initiatives Boost Livability and Cut Emissions Xiangtan, PRC

500K

PEOPlE ARE ExPECTEd TO BENEFIT FROM ThE BRT CORRIdOR

Inhabitants 1.97 million

GdP per capita $1,580

Geographic area 215 km²

ThE ChAllENGE

Peshawar has one of the country’s most congested transport systems, which affects traffic congestion and raises the risk of harassment for women. The city hopes that its new safe and inclusive BRT corridor will address these issues.

CO-BENEFITs

social

The project hopes to encourage women’s meaningful participation by ensuring that 10% of BRT operations employees are women.

health

By encouraging commuters to switch to public transportation from private means, air quality can be improved due to the decrease in air pollutants.

Environmental

A pilot program creating bicycle parking will be incorporated to encourage commuters to include bicycles as their first- and last-mile connectivity to the BRT.

Gender-inclusive Bus Corridor to relax Congestion

In an effort to improve air quality, reduce emissions, and relax traffic congestion, Peshawar is constructing a 26-kilometer east–west BRT corridor with gender-inclusive initiatives at the core.

Peshawar is Pakistan’s sixth-largest city with 1.97 million citizens, but has one of the country’s most congested transport systems. Getting from the residential district of Chamkani on the east of the city, through the center, and to Hayatabad can take well over an hour in rush hour, with average speeds of just 11 km per hour.

One way to reduce congested roads is to improve public transport options, therefore the city is installing 26 km of BRT lanes, with 31 stations, park-andride facilities, bicycle lanes, and green areas helping to improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion. The buses will be diesel–electric hybrids, allowing lower emissions and cleaner air compared with individual car transport.

The project will also establish universal access and safety features in all stations, including enhanced lighting, closed-circuit television monitoring, segregated areas for women, and staff trained to deal with harassment incidents.

The project was funded through a $335 million loan from ADB as well as with contributions from the Agence Française de Développement.

peshawar’s new Brt corridor. Partly commissioned in August 2020, the BRT’s construction is expected to be fully completed in 2021 (photo by ADB).

263K

TONs OF CO₂ EMIssIONs REdUCEd EVERY YEAR

Inhabitants 2.88 million

GdP per capita $11,371

Geographic area 5,015 km²

ThE ChAllENGE

Xiangtan is currently more suited to transport by car or motorbike, and roads often prioritize private vehicles.

CO-BENEFITs

Environmental

Ecosystem-based adaptation measures will reduce pollution in downstream areas by filtering pollutants and improving runoff quality.

social

New pedestrian pathways will accommodate wheelchair users by making sure they are wide and free from obstacles, improving accessibility for all.

health

With better air quality, nonmotorized transport options, and safer roads, residents will be more active and thus decrease their risk for certain diseases.

three transport initiatives Boost livability and Cut emissions

xiangtan plans to contribute to a modal shift from private to low-carbon, public alternatives through improvements to pedestrian pathways and bicycle lanes citywide, demonstrating the different functions of the road.

Three initiatives are being implemented in Xiangtan that will help boost public transportation in the city, decrease congestion, and reduce emissions by improving pedestrian, cycling, and public transportation infrastructure. The incorporation of ecosystem-based adaptation measures will improve drought, flood resilience, and air quality, while also transforming the street into a pleasant space for relaxing and resting.

The first two projects focus on walking and cycling in the city center, with improvements to 63 km of cycle lanes and 69 km of pedestrian walkways. These routes will be safely separated from roads and seamlessly connected at intersections and crossings. The pedestrian walkways will have no barriers, be free of parked vehicles, and contain smooth ramps to make walking easy for all.

The third initiative focuses on transforming the six-lane Fuxing Middle Road, which is located in a flood-prone zone. Various initiatives such as a bus priority lane, improved pedestrian pathways and bicycle lanes, will seek to transform Fuxing Middle Road into a multifunctional street. The reconstruction of a large landscaping area into a street forest will encourage walking and relaxing, and the inclusion of water-pervious street parking spaces will reduce runoff. Ecosystembased adaptation measures like tree planting, rain gardens, and subsurface water retention boxes, will also aim to boost livability in the city.

An ADB loan has been provided to help cover the $32 million cost for all three projects.

establishing multifunctional streets. In many areas, pedestrian and cycling lanes are not clearly marked. With ecosystem-based adaptation measures, improvements will make Xiangtan’s streets multifunctional and resilient (photo by Royal HaskoningDHV).