Transport on a Human Scale

An efficient and affordable access to
jobs, education and services is considered a fundamental
element for development. However, the mobility conditions in
the cities have deteriorated because of the increasing
motorization and urbanization. The number of new cars that
enter the cities every year outpaces the construction of new
roads, aggravating the existing congestion issues.
Therefore, the urban models that revolve around highways and
private vehicles are frequently questioned. These models
ignore the individual and humane factors as the primary
structure of the city. Nowadays, the public transport
systems and the non-motorized modes are considered to be the
pillars of mobility, connectivity and accessibility. The
National Urban Transport Program (NUTP) in Colombia is
focused in developing public transport systems as the
central element of urban mobility. A mass transport that is
fast, comfortable, clean and safe will increase urban
productivity and improve the quality of life. Based on this
hypothesis, and through the NUTP, the Central Government
provides financial and technical support to cities of
600,000 or more inhabitants in order to implement brand new
mass transport systems. The program is supported on a solid
base formed by the Central Government, the Municipalities
and the private sector. Transport on a human scale shows a
different dimension of the impacts of a program such as the
NUTP. This impact is illustrated from the perspective of
testimonials. The book shows, on each of the
'stations', different elements that illustrate the
creation of more humane and inclusive cities. Moreover, it
portrays the experiences and thoughts of leaders, experts
and users through a wide array of graphics and texts.