Transport has always shaped cities. In Medieval times, crossroads gave birth to thriving market towns. Venice was built up around its canals, Industrial Britains development followed the route of railways and waterways. Many North American cities were created for the car. But how are the cities of today being shaped by a need for more sustainable transport? Cities are now home to over half of the global population, and have a large role to play in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality. This will need new technologies and new ways of organizing cities, alongside efficiency gains. Many local governments are accelerating change through policy initiatives such as integrated transport, congestion charges and low emission zones, sustainable procurement and lifecycle costing, and opening data up to companies and academics. And these city level policies can move markets in more sustainable directions. For example, London is requiring all newly licensed taxis to be zero-emission capable from 2018. This has resulted in five vehicle manufacturers committing to meeting that deadline, which is both in their own commercial interests and good for the environment.
