Transportation, the heartbeat of a city

How major cities thrive through their networks

The heartbeat of any city is its roads and transportation networks. They play a crucial role in how citizens spend their time and how efficient a commute can be. A city is dependent on infrastructure that connects various roads and streets, allowing greater circulation. Recent studies by firms such as McKinsey & Company have shown a direct correlation between a city’s wealth and the sophistication of its transport networks.

Several major cities, particularly those in Asia, have made significant advancements in their infrastructure networks. As the global population increases, transportation is likely to be among the worst affected, with traffic congestion expected to significantly increase. In light of this, let’s look at two cities focused on being “healthy” through a combination of investments into infrastructure and public transportation:

1. Shanghai: One of China’s financial capitals, Shanghai, has made major strides forward in creating alternatives to conventional transportation. The government has invested in an integrated public transport system that allows citizens to seamlessly commute through multiple forms of transportation. These include buses, trains, subways, taxis, and ferries. Restrictions on buying cars were introduced in 1994 to decongest the streets, and a concentrated effort to make people use public transportation was kicked off. Recent estimates show that a majority of the city’s inhabitants travel by public transport. Apart from the investments in roads and infrastructure, approximately 38 billion USD will be invested in 5G base stations, vehicle charging stations, big data centers, artificial intelligence, and the industrial internet. These new infrastructure investments are expected to further enhance transportation networks in the city.
2. Singapore: Continuously ranked as one of the best places to live in the world, the city-state heavily relies on its advanced transportation network to ensure its citizens maintain a high-quality way of life. Singapore is one of the most densely populated states, so a good public transportation network and a good road system are essential for it to function. The country has invested significantly in its infrastructure and roads, as evidenced by their spending on infrastructure amounting to an estimated 10 billion USD per year. Public transportation varies from buses, trains, mass transit rail, and more. The government has made public transportation efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly. The state plans to open more cycling paths and further promote the use of EV-sharing services going forward.

Both Shanghai and Singapore have ramped up their investment in public infrastructure and are well set to deal with any increases in traffic congestion or population. As seen with the investment in new infrastructure by Shanghai, technology is likely going to inform a lot of the decisions cities and citizens will make going forward. One of the best ways for a citizen to navigate their own city and help decongest roads is to download applications like Citility.

We offer a multi-modal urban mobility platform aimed at optimizing the way you move and commute. Using AI and machine learning, our platform plots the most efficient route from point A to point B. We keep you up to date on multiple indexes, such as those measuring air quality, traffic, and safety. Citility is one of the best tools to navigate your city efficiently and with the environment in mind. Our applications plan journeys to avoid congestion and reduce your overall carbon footprint. Begin the journey with Citility and join the transportation network of the future!

References:

1. https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/operations/our%20insights/building%20a%20transport%20system%20that%20works%20new%20charts%20five%20insights%20from%20our%2025%20city%20report%20new/elements-of-success-urban-transportation-systems-of-25-global-cities-july-2021.pdf
2. https://www.farandwide.com/s/public-transit-systems-ranked-c5d839d8a48d4da3
3. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/operations/our-insights/building-a-transport-system-that-works-five-insights-from-our-25-city-report
4. https://www.designbuild-network.com/comment/singapore-infrastructure-spending-set-to-exceed-10bn-per-year/
5. https://www.shanghaihighlights.com/shanghai-transportation/city-transport.htm
6. https://www.statista.com/chart/15821/who-has-the-best-roads/
7. https://www.trafficsafetystore.com/blog/5-ways-cities-can-design-better-roads/
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_transport_in_Shanghai
9. https://factsanddetails.com/china/cat15/sub95/item421.html
10. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-05-08/Shanghai-to-invest-38-bln-in-new-infrastructure-in-next-3-years-Qk72dVVZRe/index.html