OU Magazine

The Future of Urban Development in Afghanistan

On December 10, 2021, the Oxford Urbanists hosted a panel event on contemporary urban-development dynamics in Afghanistan. Shahrukh Wani, an Economist with the International Growth Centre at Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, moderated the discussion. In conversation were Sana Safi, a journalist with the BBC World Service, Srinivasa Popuri of UN-Habitat, and Erol Yayboke of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The conversation was recorded and is available to watch in full below.

Infrastructure, Politics & PlanningStefan NorgaardDecember 13, 2021Global South, Urban Design, UN Habitat, Urban DataComment

Transit Electrification in Colombia: An Unaffordable Dream?

The results of Bogotá’s 2018 ender to renew its BRT fleet illustrate how Colombian cities are struggling to electricity their public transportation systems. Nevertheless, such electrification is essential, and there are a number of concrete financial and regulatory steps government can take to facilitate the transition.

InfrastructureAndrés Melendro BlancoApril 7, 2019BRT, Colombia, Bogota, Finance, China, Electrification, Latin AmericaComment

Transit-Oriented Development in Emerging Cities: Principles from Singapore

As urbanization continues to accelerate in many developing countries, the development of efficient, cost-effective, public transportation systems will be critical to the sustainable growth of emerging cities. This article highlights some of the key principles and lessons learned from Singapore’s transit-oriented development strategy and assesses how these principles may be considered and applied in emerging cities within the developing world.

InfrastructureBrandon Chye April 2, 2019South East Asia, Singapore, MobilityComment

Microtransit, meet the minibus taxi: A convergence in urban transport

In the Global South, informal transport systems are digitising and becoming more integrated with rapidly growing formal systems. In the North, cities are expanding microtransit in an effort to scale back inefficient formal systems. We may be witnessing a convergence of North and South models of urban mobility.

InfrastructurePaul HealyJanuary 29, 2018South Africa, Cape Town, Mobility

Improving Transport in Developing Cities with Investment and Regulation

On 15 November 2017, the Oxford Urbanists and the International Growth Centre’s (IGC) Cities that Work initiative co-hosted a panel discussion on the ‘Future of Informal Transport in Rapidly Growing Cities’ to discuss evidence for improved policy.

InfrastructurePriya ManwaringJanuary 21, 2018Informal

Transport in the Global South: Informal, but Hardly Insignificant

A discussion between Sir Paul Collier, Dr. Tim Schwanen, and Dr. Clemence Cavoli focused on informal transport systems: their strengths and weaknesses, their role in optimal city design, and pertinent government regulation.

InfrastructurePaul HealyNovember 27, 2017Global South, Informal

Transport in Latin American Cities: Necessary, Materialized, Politicized

On May 15, 2017, the Oxford Urbanists held a debate titled Justice, Equity, and Transportation in Latin American Cities, in partnership with the Oxford University Latin America Society. Dr. Nihan Akyelken, a participant, reflects on the discussion.

InfrastructureNihan AkyelkenJune 4, 2017Latin America

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