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Irrespective of the state of economy (developed or developing), cities across the World are facing both the acute transportation system issues (traffic congestion and delays) as well as the related externalities like, climate change, air pollution, health impact, degrading livability etc. There is a clear consensus today that traditional infrastructure supply-based measures are no more sustainable, however literature is still scant on the linkages between sustainable transport and livability of cities. Understanding this linkage through building a body of literature is important as the basis for any urban development intervention, including transportation, should be to make a city more livable. In the absence of such understanding the cities may not be able to implement targeted sustainable transportation interventions that have holistic impact on making cities more livable, which is a sum of the factors that add up to a community’s quality of life – including the built and natural environments, economic prosperity, social stability and equity, educational opportunity, and cultural, entertainment and recreation possibilities.
In recent times, we have witnessed an increase in the quantity and quality of social, ecological, and political crises in the world. Starting from the sweeping public health crises during the COVID-19 pandemic, to the political and humanitarian crises in Ukraine and Palestine, to the north-south global supply chain crises affecting developing economies, each one of them has led to a burden on mobility and the existing ways that transportation systems are designed and managed to cater to the growing needs of the world. It is now widely believed that such crises are the epitome of the fundamental changes happening in our environment, due to our complex human interactions in the age of what is termed as the Anthropocene, an epoch characterized by interactions that have taken place between humans and their environment, for as long the existence of humanity. This includes the high intensity interactions and complex networks initiated by the industrial revolution, globalization and now digitalization. Even as we write this editorial, the social-ecological and economic impacts on the city of Baltimore, where a container ship accident has destroyed critical urban transportation infrastructure, are trickling in. The consequences and its ripple effects are enormous.
Smart transportation and logistics are thus seen as panacea in a world, plagued by a multitude of human-initiated crises for making cities more resilient and sustainable places in a world of flows, using highly advanced communication infrastructure and other digital solutions. With the prominence of city-city interactions, the focus has now changed from nation states to new forms of political and societal organization for the development of regions and locales. While smartness is yet a quality to be fully articulated, the needs and the networks of the future should cater to faster and resilient connections, coordination, and interactions, while performing ethically and sustainably in a world with scarce natural resources that now encompass mobility networks beyond the countries, to the inclusion of inter-terrestrial supply chains. The challenge is colossal, and the stakes even higher. Scientific work needs to problematize and theorize new ways of smartness within transportation, logistics and supply chain networks with a view to the prioritization of sustainability and livability, in a way that is independent, interdisciplinary, innovative, and employs technology and digitalization as important platforms to enhance sustainability and livability of the world.
It is under this background that the birth of our new Taylor & Francis (T&F) journal Sustainable Transport and Livability, has taken place. Sustainable Transport and Livability will focus on publishing research that furthers our knowledge on the many linkages between sustainable transport and livability of cities and the policy, planning, design, engineering and other interventions like digitalization that affect these connections. These linkages of sustainable transport to livability may include impacts on:
How sustainable transport interventions affect physical, mental, economic, and social well-being. Encouraging active transport (walking and cycling) through infrastructural improvements such as bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets and reducing vehicular emissions by promoting sustainable transport modes (active transport, public transport, and electric vehicles) contributes to physical well-being. In addition, sustainable transport interventions profoundly influence mental well-being through encouraging stress reduction and social interaction. Consequently, such interventions could contribute to economic and social well-being by curtailing transportation costs and furnishing affordable and accessible transportation alternatives and vibrant neighborhoods, thereby advocating a sense of belonging and interconnectedness.
How sustainable transport interventions can make society and individuals healthier and happier. Sustainable transport interventions are crucial for developing healthier and happier societies by redefining how people access urban spaces. The complex linkage between transportation, health, and happiness demonstrates that it is imperative to recognize the implications of adopting sustainable modes of mobility. Thus, concerted efforts are expected to advance sustainable transport strategies as integral components of a healthier, happier society.
How sustainable transport interventions affect quality of life, equity, social justice. Sustainable transport initiatives have the potential to significantly enhance quality of life by fostering cleaner air, safer streets, and improved access to essential services. These initiatives can nudge equitable access to opportunities, enhance social cohesion, and promote inclusivity. Additionally, it is necessary to examine these interventions through a social justice lens, ensuring that marginalized communities do not bear disproportionate burdens or are excluded from the benefits. Therefore, a comprehensive framework is essential to assess sustainable transport strategies that prioritize enhancing quality of life while supporting equity and social justice principles.
How sustainable transport impacts safety, accessibility, affordability, and environmental quality. The intricate relationship between sustainable transport and its multifaceted impacts on safety, accessibility, affordability, and environmental quality is a significant concern. Sustainable transport initiatives strive to mitigate environmental degradation and enhance safety, accessibility, and affordability for all. Accordingly, while exploring the complexities of urbanization and transportation infrastructure development, understanding these dimensions becomes vital for nurturing sustainable and livable cities.
How sustainable transport can contribute toward improving disaster resiliency of urban transport systems. Sustainable transport practices are a pivotal solution to strengthen the resilience of urban transport systems for managing escalating climate-related disasters and urbanization challenges. By prioritizing modes of transport that minimize emissions, optimize resource utilization, and enhance accessibility, urban communities can build adaptive capabilities crucial for disaster preparedness and recovery. Therefore, embracing a holistic approach that integrates sustainable transport principles into urban planning and policy frameworks is vital for building resilient, adaptable, and livable cities despite future uncertainties.
In the above we lay out these different areas where transportation and logistics as scientific fields, and we as a journal can contribute to the different areas of sustainability and livability.
Further, we are happy to present three articles that have been published in the first issue of the journal Sustainable Transport and Livability to date. The study by Carvalho et al. (2024) examines the change in perception towards the new Pie-IX Bus Rapid Transit line in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, over time and across space. The study highlights the need for different policy directions for the citywide population and those residing near the project zone to increase BRT acceptance. Miwa et al. (2024) explored the relationship between elements of walkability and real estate transaction price based on the city of Vienna government open data. The research implies that the improvement in walkability elements are monetarily captured as a part of land transaction price more in low-density contexts such as low-rise residential areas rather than in high-density contexts as well as in commercial and industrial land use. Hosford et al. 2024 researched the degree of acceptability for five built environment interventions by developing a multi-level model to quantify individual- and neighborhood-level factors with greater acceptability of these interventions. The results emphasize the acceptability of these interventions in urban Canada.
The Editors hope that in coming months and years, this journal will become a key reference globally to understand linkages between sustainable transport and livability and influence policies and interventions to make our planet earth more livable.