Mobility, Sustainability and Quality of Life

An address by Enrique Penalosa
At the Canberra Business Centre 9 March 2011
Enrique Penalosa is a former mayor of Bogotá, Columbia, and while in office the rejected the advice of a Japanese firm to build very expensive highways and instead “invested in the poor” by providing schools, libraries, footpaths and parks. Thus instead of providing infrastructure for the relatively privileged which made the poor feel like second class citizens, infrastructure was provided for the majority of people.
He emphasized that a city is a means to a way of life and should be planned with that in mind. “A good city is where people want to be outside.” “Footpaths are the most important element of a democratic city’s infrastructure… and of its transport system as well.” He considered that public good should prevail over private interest. For example, all waterfronts should be open to the public — not privately owned and exclusive.
Enrique indicated that transport policy in an advanced city means seeking to reduce car use. He favoured a good integrated bus system and plenty of room for pedestrians and bicycles. Bus stations he pointed out should be long like railway stations so that people could get on and off busses easily. He did not favour underground rail systems or tramways but, on the basis of examples cited, appeared not to be aware of modern developments in light rail.