Can Western mobility solutions apply to East Asia's cities ?

International audienceCities around the world are experiencing traffic congestion and test different solutions to insure adequate mobility for their inhabitants while at the same time taking into consideration the relatively new concern for sustainable development. Several Western countries, such as France and the United States, have seen a resurgence of streetcars/tramways as a way of enhancing mobility at a lower environmental cost in central parts of their cities. Many European towns have embraced the concept of bike sharing. Reflections on the urban environment have led to transit-oriented-development schemes. This presentation considers the relevance of such schemes in Asian cities characterized both by very high population densities and a rapid increase in motorized transportation. Is T.O.D. an option ? What is easy in low-density Denver suburbs may be difficult to implement in Asia. Are streetcars a better solution than bus rapid transit lanes on the Brazilian Curitiba model ? Singapore's congestion charge policy has become model for Western cities such as London. Several Asian cities have built elevated monorail systems, which are not in the plans for most European or American cities. As bicycles are returning to the streets of Paris, their use tends to be restricted in Beijing or Shangha