Introduction to transport policy and planning

Abstract

In a world dominated by growing cities, increasing population, global environmental change at a scale which is unprecedented, the issues surrounding transport and mobility come to the forefront to support cities and functioning urban areas, mobilize and provide opportunity for populations around the world and unfortunately contribute significantly to the climate crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic which has spread across the world at the time of writing this introduction has also shown the key role of transport in both spreading the contagion as well as supporting efforts to control the virus amidst fears of economic collapse. The changes affected to transport systems during the year 2020 across a number of cities in Europe and beyond, will provide ample opportunities for urban and transport planners in the future to seek better ways of connecting people and places, with less negative impact on the environment and more positive impact on community well being.