Sustainable transportation in the desert? The future of urban mobility in the Middle East

by Mark Chase, Transportation Planning Consultant
Thurs, Oct 1, 7-9 pm
@ LivableStreets office, 100 Sidney St, Cambridge [ map... ]

What are oil rich cities are doing with the money we spend on gasoline? The Capitol of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, has launched an ambitious effort to become the world's greenest city by transforming itself from a car-centric city to one that is pedestrian, transit and bicycle friendly: all in less than seven years. Come and learn, through Mark's first hand experience, why and how this change is taking place.

Mark Chase has transportation planning experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors. He was part of the senior management team that launched the innovative car-sharing program Zipcar.com, and GoLoco.org, an innovative web-based car-pooling tool. Mark is actively involved with car-parking reform as key component of sustainable transportation systems. Currently Mark is a consulting associate for Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates, and is a professor at Tufts University.

StreetTalks are open to the public, $5 suggested donation, beer/sodas provided compliments of Harpoon Brewery and delivered thanks to Metro Pedal Power. Sponsored by LivableStreets Alliance. For more information, click here.

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> Where is Abu Dhabi? Map >>>

> Related Article: 'A Zero-Emissions City in the Desert: Oil-rich Abu Dhabi is building a green metropolis. Should the rest of the world care?' from Technology Review, March/April 2009. "The construction is the start of a vast experiment, an attempt to create the world's first car-free, zero-carbon-dioxide-emissions, zero-waste city." Read on >>>

> Related Article: 'Abu Dhabi Releases Ambitious Transport Plan' from The Transport Politic, Feb 2009. "Abu Dhabi's future, hope the city's planners, will be sustainable and result in a pedestrian-oriented, less polluted environment. As a result, the plan envisions tramways running throughout the city, with many parallel lines along the waterfront. In certain districts, the city plans personal rapid transit service, which would supplement the streetcar system." Read on >>>