Transportation for Livable Cities [Hardcover]

Vukan R. Vuchic (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0882851616 | ISBN-13: 978-0882851617

 

The twenty-first century finds civilization heavily based in cities that have grown into large metropolitan areas. Many of these focal points of human activity face problems of economic inefficiency, environmental deterioration, and an unsatisfactory quality of life—problems that go far in determining whether a city is "livable." A large share of these problems stems from the inefficiencies and other impacts of urban transportation systems.

The era of projects aimed at maximizing vehicular travel is being replaced by the broader goal of achieving livable cities: economically efficient, socially sound, and environmentally friendly. This book explores the complex relationship between transportation and the character of cities and metropolitan regions. Vukan Vuchic applies his experience in urban transportation systems and policies to present a systematic review of transportation modes and their characteristics.

Transportation for Livable Cities dispels the myths and emotional advocacies for or against freeways, rail transit, bicycles, and other modes of transportation. The author discusses the consequences of excessive automobile dependence and shows that the most livable cities worldwide have intermodal systems that balance highway and public transit modes while providing for pedestrians, bicyclists, and paratransit. Vuchic defines the policies necessary for achieving livable cities: the effective implementation of integrated intermodal transportation systems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“In this readable and informative book Vuchic argues for investments in public transportation, particularly rail transit in US cities. A highly authoritative rail transit engineer, he steps outside his expertise area to advocate "balancing" auto and transit investments to promote "liveable cities." His arguments for transit are based on many apparently fundamental principles and on examples of how other cities around the world use transit and attempt to control the use of autos.”

—D. Brand, Choice

"A serious, comprehensive book on its subject, something not seen... since Downss Stuck in Traffic."

—H. Henderson, Planning

"Fills a niche in the literature… good textbook for introductory courses in transportation planning."

—L. Frank, APA Journal

"A well-founded critique of ineffective metropolitan transportation planning."

—P. Schimefe, Journal of Planning Education and Research

"It's difficult to find fault with the authors conclusions."

—J. Rohe, Planning & Zoning News

"Mows down misconceptions about transportation and the impacts on land use... unambiguous and convincing."

—E. Crawford, Progress

About the Author

Vukan R. Vuchic is UPS Foundation Professor of Transportation Engineering and professor of city and regional planning at the University of Pennsylvania. He has served as a consultant to scores of companies, public agencies, and city governments around the world: Belgrade in his native Yugoslavia; Edmonton and Toronto, Canada; Lima, Peru; Rome, Italy; and in the United States for the cities of New York and Philadelphia, among others. His other books include Urban Transit Operations, Planning and Economics and Urban Transit Systems and Technology.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 376 pages
• Publisher: Center for Urban Policy Research (December 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882851616
• ISBN-13: 978-0882851617
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,340,139 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear Thinking, December 6, 2001

By 

Richard H. Burkhart "Dick Burkhart" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Transportation for Livable Cities (Hardcover)

Professor Vuchic is the embodiment of clear thinking and common sense. His is a voice of reason in the midst of all the propaganda and ideology of the transportation wars that pop up in every city where people begin to question the dominance of the car culture. He's heard all the anti-rail arguments and debunks them one by one.

This is an eminently readable and well organized book by one of the foremost transportation authorities in America. He compares the US to our peer countries in Europe and Asia and shows how their policies have produced far more livable cities. Our present sorry state is largely due to massive government subsidies and policies favoring the car culture. These have the effect of discourging transit, walking, and bicycling.

Vuchic says change will only come through a combination of "transit incentives" and "auto disincentives", especially the latter. The biggest obstacles are political, not technological.

We must start by creating and promoting the "livable city" vision for our metropolitan regions, then planning an intermodal transportation system to fulfill this vision. Most US cities omit or neglect these steps, focusing primarily on road networks to meet car demand.

If you know that something is terribly wrong with your city and that cars have a lot to do with it, this book will tell you why and what you can do about it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for every American!, September 10, 2006

By 

Ben Patience (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Transportation for Livable Cities (Hardcover)

Overall an excellent book. Dr. Vuchic clearly explains the history behind urban transportation planning in the United States. He gives examples of cities in "peer" countries that have done an overall much better job of transportation planning than the vast majority of U.S. cities.

He clearly describes the advantages and disadvantages of virtually every mode of urban transportation; car, bus, light rail, metro, bicycle, etc. In this book Dr. Vuchic writes about the importance of integrated multi-modal transportation systems, as well as the critical need for metropolitan areas to integrate various aspects of urban planning; housing, environment and transportation.

A couple minor things in the book I did not entirely agree with. Some of his comparisons between cities, I did'nt feel were entirely accurate. He mentions Rome in the same sentence as Houston and Detroit when discussing cities with poor transit. Houston & Detroit have some of the worst transit in the developed world, but Rome's transit system, while not the best in Europe, is far ahead of Houston and Detroit. Dr Vuchic mentions Boston in the same sentence as Zurich when describing cities with good transit. Boston's transit system is quite poor by the standards of western Europe. When comparing major world cities Dr Vuchic tries to point to New York as having poor transit relative to London or Tokyo. While New York's transit system isn't as good as Tokyo or London, a much better example of poor transit among major world cities would have been Los Angeles.

Despite what I felt were at times somewhat poor comparisons between cities, I still give this book 5 stars and would highly recommend it.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Second hand book in excellent condition!, July 6, 2010

By 

Kimmer "Kimmer" (Vancouver, BC Canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Transportation for Livable Cities (Hardcover)

I ordered this book for a colleague who wanted to read it. I can't say anything about the content but the book was in excellent condition and the shipping was much faster than anticipated. Overall extremely happy with this transaction - thank you!