Urbanization and Mobility in China: New Patterns and Intermodal Connections Asie.Visions, No. 66, December 2013
Chinese cities are getting bigger and are also growing into each other. To ensure that the rapidly increasing number of urban residents have access to adequate transportation not only requires increased investment in transportation, but also careful deliberation to allow an optimal tradeoff between different modes of transport as well as a coordinated approach to land development and transport development.
With regard to the built-environment that shapes the environment for everyday travel, Chinese city governments generally carry out carefully conceived spatial planning. Driven by the garden city idea, Chinese cities often plan multi-center spatial structures. The actual end product, however, varies depending on the local context.
Investment in roads alone cannot fuel continuous expansion in China. High-density cities are now ripe for rail transportation investment. Expansion of transportation systems and transit-oriented development also provide a potential solution for congestion problems. Yet there are still challenges to overcome.
Transporting passengers within expanding and high-density urban areas requires a multi-modal approach and transportation hubs that provide intermodal connectivity. Railway stations and airports are typical transportation hubs that not only provide inter-city connectivity, but also function as intra-city transfer hubs.
Inter-connection of transportation systems developed separately by neighboring municipalities is an emerging challenge in developed parts of China. As urban functions extend beyond the administrative boundary of a single municipality, demand for multi-jurisdictional transport services is increasing. The Guangzhou - Foshan case demonstrates the need for a multi-municipality framework for transport planning, investment and management.