Editorial: Trends to promote active transport in future cities

Editorial on the Research Topic
Trends to promote active transport in future cities

Overview

As urbanization continues to reshape our cities, the importance of promoting active transport modes such as walking, cycling, and efficient public transit has become increasingly apparent. The Research Topic “Trends to Promote Active Transport in Future Cities” addresses these critical Research Topic by exploring strategies and insights to encourage active transport. This editorial frames the objectives of this research and situates its findings within the broader context of urban planning and sustainability.

Active transport is crucial for addressing urban challenges, reducing carbon emissions, mitigating traffic congestion, and improving public health by encouraging physical activity. It also fosters a sense of community and enhances the overall quality of urban life. Adopting innovative strategies to promote active transport is essential for creating sustainable, livable urban environments as cities grow.

In this Research Topic, Morozov et al. article “Assessing Transport Connectivity of Urban Territories Based on Intermodal Transport Accessibility” investigates the accessibility and connectivity of urban territories through intermodal transport systems. With a projected 70% of the global population living in urban areas by 2050, efficient and sustainable transport systems are decisive. The study focuses on the ability to move quickly and efficiently within a city, significantly impacting quality of life. The researchers developed a methodology to assess connectivity and accessibility using an intermodal transport graph and applied it in cities such as Saint Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, and Amsterdam. The results revealed varying degrees of connectivity and accessibility across different urban areas, which can inform urban planning decisions and help monitor and improve urban transport infrastructure.

The article “Factors that Determine a University Community’s Satisfaction Levels with Public Transit Services” by Khan et al. explores the factors influencing the satisfaction levels of a university community with public transit services in the United States. It examines the specific needs and preferences of university students, faculty, and staff, highlighting the importance of service quality, reliability, and convenience in shaping user satisfaction. The findings can help urban planners and transit authorities enhance the attractiveness of public transit and encourage more sustainable travel behaviors.

Eldeeb et al. compare walkability and bikeability in compact urban areas versus newly developed extensions in Greater Cairo in their work “Investigating Walkability and Bikeability in Compact vs. New Extensions” using the Walk Score metric and space syntax analysis. The study emphasizes the importance of sustainable transportation and highlights the superior walkability of Old Cairo compared to newer extensions like New Cairo and 6th October City.

The article “A Cross-Sectional Study: Exploring the Relationship Between Commuting Time and Subjective Wellbeing” by Abdul-Razzak et al. examines the impact of commuting time on mental and physical health in the United Arab Emirates. The study highlights the negative effects of lengthy commutes on wellbeing and advocates for promoting shorter, more active commutes to enhance overall quality of life.

Context and implications

Collectively, the articles in this Research Topic provide a comprehensive view of the factors influencing the adoption and success of active transport in urban settings. They highlight the critical roles of integrated transport networks, user satisfaction, urban design, and public health in shaping future cities. The insights from these studies suggest that promoting active transport requires a multifaceted approach encompassing infrastructure development, policy initiatives, and community engagement.

Urban planners and policymakers can leverage these findings to implement strategies that reduce car dependency, improve public transit systems, and create more walkable and bikeable environments. By doing so, cities can move towards a more sustainable, healthy, and equitable future. Promoting active transport is not just about building bike lanes or pedestrian paths; it requires a holistic approach considering the entire urban ecosystem, including land use patterns, social dynamics, and economic factors.

For instance, policies aimed at increasing the density of urban areas can make walking and cycling more viable options by reducing the distances people need to travel. Similarly, investing in high-quality public transit systems can make it easier for people to choose public transport over private cars. Additionally, urban design that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and convenience for pedestrians and cyclists can significantly boost the attractiveness of active transport.

Public engagement is crucial for promoting active transport. Residents of the cities need to be involved in the planning process, gather feedback, and build support for new initiatives (Alrawi et al., 2021). Educational campaigns that highlight the benefits of active transport can help change public perceptions and encourage more people to choose sustainable transport options.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the shift towards active transport is not merely a trend but a fundamental aspect of sustainable urban development. This Research Topic underscores the importance of holistic and integrated approaches to urban mobility, offering valuable insights and practical recommendations for fostering active transport in future cities. The contributions from these studies provide a robust foundation for future research and policy-making aimed at creating livable, sustainable urban environments.

As cities continue to evolve, it is essential to prioritize strategies that promote active transport. By doing so, we can create urban spaces that are not only more sustainable but also healthier and more enjoyable for all residents. The findings from this Research Topic offer a roadmap for achieving these goals, highlighting the critical role of integrated transport networks, user satisfaction, urban design, and public health in shaping the future of urban mobility.

The journey towards promoting active transport in future cities is ongoing, and continuous research and innovation will be key to overcoming the challenges and maximizing the benefits. By embracing these insights and working collaboratively, cities around the world can move towards a more sustainable and equitable future, where active transport is a central component of urban life.

Author contributions

FA: Conceptualization, Methodology, Supervision, Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. GS: Writing–review and editing. SY: Writing–review and editing. AA: Writing–review and editing.

Funding

The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

References

Alrawi, F., Alwani, K., Alacash, H., and Mesrop, S. (2021). “Community participation towards sustainability enhancement of transportation sector for baghdad city,” in Advances in mobility-as-a-service systems. CSUM 2020. Advances in intelligent systems and computing. Editors E. G. Nathanail, G. Adamos, and I. Karakikes (Cham: Springer), 1278, 106–115. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-61075-3_11

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar