- Fast-forwarding Transport Infrastructure: Resilient and Adaptable Wins the Race    125 kb by    Peters, Hana & Kodukula, Santhosh | hana.peters@iclei.org    Short Outline Existing systems and infrastructure can be adapted to meet higher standards and accommodate intermodality. Using case studies, this paper illustrates how plans and infrastructures produced in “fast forward” situations can be resilient and adaptable. Abstract Currently the focus of rapid urbanization is on creating new structures to accommodate personal motorized transport. There needs to be emphasis on how existing transport infrastructure can be adapted and integrated to accommodate a wide variety of transport modes. In the spirit of fast-forwarding the process and maximizing efficiency, existing systems can be reconfigured to have synergies with one another and create a harmonized and integrated urban transport system. For example, integrating public transport with the other modes in terms of fare and physical structures is more beneficial than investing in a new system without integration. Existing plans and infrastructure can be adapted to meet higher standards and accommodate intermodality. Taking advantage of existing infrastructure also helps maintain urban identity and character while integrating more sustainable aspects into the existing system. Divisive highways can be reconsidered as public transport corridors when implementing a system such as a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and large parking lots as parks and community spaces. Preserving pedestrian friendly public and social spaces, while creating new spaces to promote social inclusion, can be part of fast planning and decision making processes. In order for plans and infrastructures produced in “fast forward” situations to have an inherent resilience and adaptability, an understanding of the relation between the built environment and transport is required. Neglecting urban design in order to not slow down the implementation of infrastructure systems development will ultimately harm a project. While working quickly is important, equally important is considering city projects at district or neighborhood scales. This paper explores lessons that can be learned from various rapid urbanization phases, cases, and planning systems, while explaining the benefits of working within existing systems so that they can respond to the evolving needs of later phases. Keywords eco-efficient transport, intermodality, adaptability, integration Case Study presented on the ISOCARP Congress 2012: Fast Forward: Planning in a (hyper) dynamic urban context   Click to open the full paper as pdf document   Click to send an email to the author(s) of this paper