Transforming transportation and taming environmental disruption - the Chinese experience.

Abstract

Traditional oil-dependent, vehicle-centric mode of transportation has caused detrimental impacts on the environment for its vast amount of non-renewable energy consumption and air pollution emissions. Now in urban China, transportation has already surpassed industrial sector as the primary source of environmental pollution. Recognizing the significance and urgency of taming transportation-driven environmental disruption, Chinese governments, both at national and local levels, are taking actions to transform the development of transportation. This paper examines the Chinese experience to counter transportation-caused environmental problems. Based on the case study, it is clear that, though the central government remains as an important role, local governments' initiatives are more imperative in China's transformation to green transportation.