Special Edition: “Un”Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (“Un”-SUMA) News Digest Vol. 7 Issue 1 – February 2010

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Kaye Patdu

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Feb 15, 2010, 5:34:07 AM2/15/10

Greetings!

We are kicking off 2010 with a special edition of the SUMA News Digest where we collected recent news on examples of unsustainable urban mobility in Asia.

For more on "un-SUMA" and other SUT discussions, join our Sustainable Transport community @ http://cleanairinitiative.org/portal/communities/transport_forum.

Enjoy!

Cheers
Kaye

******************************SPECIAL EDITION*******************************

“Un”Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia (“Un”-SUMA) News Digest Vol. 7 Issue 1 – February 2010

SUMA News Digest is a free monthly e-mail publication that features news, information, and events related to sustainable urban transportation in Asia.

VISIT THE NEW CAI-Asia Website at www.cleanairinitiative.org!!!

SUMA outputs and sustainable transport projects and materials are moving to this new website.

***********“Un”Sustainable Urban Mobility in Asia News Reports***********

2010 kicks off with record-high car sales in several Asian countries

2010 kicks off with several Asian countries reporting record-high vehicle sales. Strong economic growth in developing Asia in combination with government incentives (i.e., tax reductions [VAT, ownership tax, factory/production tax], reduced loan rates, cuts in registration fees, etc.) contributed to these high vehicle sales.

China— >1.66 million cars sold in Jan. 2010 (124% increase compared to same period in 2009)

India—145,905 cars in Jan. 2010 from 110,300 in Jan. 2009 (32% increase)

Malaysia—555,000 motor vehicle units in 2010 (4.5% increase)

Philippines—11,763 units in Jan. 2010 against 8,791 units in Jan. 2009 (34% increase)

Viet Nam—6,960 units in Jan. 2010 (76% increase compared to same period in 2009)

Sources:
China: China auto sales at record high
URL:http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Money/Story/STIStory_488419.html

India: 2nd UPDATE: India Records Highest-Ever Car Sales In January
URL:http://bx.businessweek.com/case-for-optimism/view?url=http%3A%2F%2Fc.moreover.com%2Fclick%2Fhere.pl%3Fr2535705767%26f%3D9791

Related News: Auto industry calls for continuation of stimulus in Budget (URL: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5571929.cms)

Malaysia: Malaysian car sales expected to reach all-time high of 555,000 units in 2010
URL:http://news.brunei.fm/2010/01/15/malaysian-car-sales-expected-to-reach-all-time-high-of-555000-units-in-2010/

Philippines: Car sales rise 34% in January
URL:http://www.aseanaffairs.com/philippines_news/automotive/philippines_car_sales_rise_34_in_january

Viet Nam: Jan auto sales increase 76%
URL:http://english.thesaigontimes.vn/Home/business/other/8725/

More roads the solution to congestion?

Coupled with increasing motorization, Asian countries are engaging in more road infrastructure projects to accommodate these new vehicles. However, is this the sustainable solution to congestion problems in Asian cities?

Indonesia: City to accelerate land acquisition for toll roads
URL:http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/01/22/city-accelerate-land-acquisition-toll-roads.html

Viet Nam: New bridge open to traffic in HCM City
URL:http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/New-bridge-open-to-traffic-in-HCM-City/20102/112295.vov

Malaysia: Sarawak to have more lanes for overtaking
URL:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/9/nation/5641225&sec=nation

India: Free The Roads
URL:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Free-The-Roads/articleshow/5561368.cms

No such thing as a free lunch (or a free parking slot)

Accessibility to services and facilities is an important factor considered by individuals, potentially influencing mobility behavior. And with declining open spaces in urban areas, free parking spaces are considered an incentive for car owners. However, unregulated free parking spaces also have implications on vehicle congestion and air pollution.

Sources:
India: Police seek to make parking free at malls
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/-Police-seek-to-make-parking-free-at-malls/articleshow/5525562.cms

India: When road is free, who needs a parking lot?
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/when-road-is-free-who-needs-a-parking-lot/564727/

Indonesia: Parking space or park space?
URL: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/02/03/parking-space-or-park-space.html

Plans gone awry

City plans form the basis for priority areas for development in a city. However, exclusion of certain elements or not considering certain factors (such as continuity of plans) may have serious implications afterwards, as was the case in Jakarta and Pakistan.

Source:
Indonesia: Outcomes of previous spatial plan disappointing: Experts
URL: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/01/17/outcomes-previous-spatial-plan-disappointing-experts.html

Pakistan: Pervaiz accuses govt of scrapping mass transit plan
URL: http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/national/16--pervaiz-accuses-govt-of-scrapping-mass-transit-plan-hs-02

Cities struggle to combat air pollution for 2010 Mega-events

Host cities for mega-events for 2010 are keen on having good air quality during these events and have been busy preparing planning and setting-up various plans/measures for reduce air pollution in their city as well as in surrounding areas. However, addressing air pollution remains a challenge.

Commonwealth Games: New Delhi, India—Air quality became even worse due to major construction work, coupled with vehicle congestion, for the Commonwealth Games. Air quality monitoring in Delhi reports soaring NO_x and particulate matter levels.

Asian Games: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China—Asian Games will be held in 12 to 27 November–the time of year where "relatively bad" air quality has been historically recorded. Guangzhou officials are reporting poor air quality despite closure of several industrial units during the financial crisis.

Source:
India: Commonwealth games bring more pollution Delhi
URL: http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100122/FOREIGN/701219846/1140

China: Cleaner air for Asian Games in S. China’s Guangzhou
URL: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-02/10/content_9455717.htm

Festivals Freebies

China, along with some neighboring Asian countries, recently celebrated their Spring Festival. During the celebrations, motorists enjoyed several incentives, including free parking and toll discounts.

Source:
China: Hangzhou promotes free parking during Spring festival
URL: http://www.echinacities.com/cityguide/Hangzhou/whatson/InPulse.aspx?WID=11322

Malaysia: Motorists to enjoy toll-free and discounts during CNY period
URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/9/nation/5641237&sec=nation

Malaysia: Motorists to Toll ‘angpow’ for CNY’
URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/8/nation/20100208152007&sec=nation

* * * *
INTERESTING FINDS/SEMINARS

E-bikes 2009/2010

Electric 2-wheelers ("e-bikes") are growing in popularity in the P.R. China. Following a study for P.R. China, a study for India (Ahmedabad) and Viet Nam (Hanoi) on the market for e-bikes and their environmental impacts compared to gasoline motorbikes was carried out by Chris Cherry and Luke Jones from the University of Tennessee, under the SUMA program funded through Sida, ADB and CAI-Asia Center. E-bikes emit less CO2, PM, CO, NOx and VOCs compared to gasoline motorbikes, especially in Viet Nam where electricity is generated from gas rather than coal power plants. Improved performance, reducing purchase price and favorable tax policies would help e-bikes penetrate the markets However, to have e-bikes penetrate the market in both countries.

Full report is available @ http://cleanairinitiative.org/portal/node/2337.

JARI China Roundtable 2009/2010

The 7th JARI China Roundtable was held in Beijing on November 12th with the topic of “Long term National Environment and Energy Policy”. In session I of JARI China Roundtable, the overview on environment and energy policies was shown as keynote speeches from governmental institutes. Therefore, vehicle and environment and energy policies (session II) was discussed.

Read more @ http://www.jari.or.jp/english_topics/57957/. Chinese version of documents is also available.

* * * *
MARK YOUR CALENDARS

WLPGA Asian LP Gas Regional Summit “LP Gas: Exceptional Energy for Asia”, 23 February 2010, Kuala Lumpur Conference Centre, Malaysia.
http://www.worldlpgas.com/news-and-events/news/wlpga-asian-lp-gas-regional-summit/

Motor Vehicle Emissions Control Workshop (MoVE) 2010, 3-6 March 2010, Hong Kong
http://www.cse.polyu.edu.hk/~activi/MoVE2010/intro_frame.htm

Diesel Emissions Conference Asia, 23-25 March 2010, Beijing, China,
http://www.integer-research.com/decasia/

2010 China Green Fuels and Vehicles, 8-9 April 2010, Shanghai, China
http://www.greenfuels-vehicles.com/gfvc/Agenda.html

12^th Tour of the Fireflies, 18 April 2010, Manila, Philippines
http://www.fireflybrigade.org/?p=213

2^nd Annual Integrated Urban Transportation Network Congress 2010, 22-23 April 2010, Shanghai, China
http://www.noppen.com.cn/events/2nd_transport/2nd_transport.asp

16th IRF (International Road Federation) World Meeting, 25-28 May 2010, Lisbon Congress Centre, Portugal
http://www.irf2010.com/

Forum 2010 Transport and Innovation: Unleashing the Potential, 26-28 May 2010, Leipzig, Germany
http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/2010/index.html

12th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED 2010), 2-4 June 2010, Hong Kong
http://www.transed2010.hk/front/

* * * CONTRIBUTE * * *

To contribute articles, news items, or event announcements for the next issue, send an email with the complete details and URL source to suma-ne...@googlegroups.com with subject "FOR SUMA NEWS". Past issues can be found at http://groups.google.com/group/suma-news.

--

Cheers
Kaye
--
Maria Katherina Patdu
Environmental Researcher

Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia Center) Center
T +63 2 395 2843 to 45 | F +63 2 395 2846 | M +63 927 441 5692 | kaye....@cai-asia.org
Unit 3510, 35F, Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue, Pasig City, 1605, Philippines

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