Question

How can mass transportation planning contribute to sustainable urban development?

• A. By encouraging urban sprawl
• B. By prioritizing single-occupancy vehicle use
• C. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impacts
• D. By disregarding the needs of vulnerable populations

Hint:

(È) \textbf{Sustainable Urban Development} aims for environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
(É) \textbf{Mass Transportation (Public Transit)} contributes by:
(Ê) Reducing energy consumption and emissions per passenger compared to private cars.
(Ë) Alleviating traffic congestion.
(Ì) Supporting compact urban forms (reducing sprawl).
(Í) Improving accessibility and social equity.
(Î) It helps minimize the environmental footprint of urban mobility.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Mass transportation (public transit) systems include buses, trains, subways/metros, trams, etc., designed to move large numbers of people efficiently. Sustainable urban development aims to create cities that are environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable for the long term. Contribution of mass transportation planning to sustainable urban development:
(½) Reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impacts (Option c):
(¾) \textit{Energy efficiency:} Mass transit is generally more energy-efficient per passenger-kilometer than private cars.
(¿) \textit{Reduced emissions:} By shifting travel from private vehicles to public transit (especially if transit is powered by cleaner energy sources), overall greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutant emissions (like NOx, PM2.5) from the transport sector can be reduced.
(À) \textit{Reduced traffic congestion:} Efficient mass transit can alleviate road congestion, saving fuel and time.
(Á) \textit{Land use efficiency:} Transit supports more compact urban forms, reducing the need for extensive road networks and parking lots, thus preserving land.
(Â) Social equity and accessibility: Provides mobility for those who do not drive or own cars (e.g., elderly, disabled, low-income groups, young people), improving their access to jobs, education, healthcare, and other services.
(Ã) Economic benefits: Reduces costs associated with congestion, accidents, and fuel consumption. Supports economic activity by connecting people to employment centers. Let's evaluate the options:
(Ä) (a) By encouraging urban sprawl: Effective mass transit, especially when integrated with Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), tends to promote more compact, higher-density development around transit nodes, thereby \textit{countering} urban sprawl. Poorly planned transit extension into low-density areas without supportive land use could inadvertently support sprawl, but that's not its sustainable contribution.
(Å) (b) By prioritizing single-occupancy vehicle use: This is the opposite of what mass transportation aims to achieve. Mass transit is an alternative to single-occupancy vehicles.
(Æ) (c) By reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impacts: This is a key way mass transportation contributes to environmental sustainability.
(Ç) (d) By disregarding the needs of vulnerable populations: Good mass transit planning should specifically consider and cater to the needs of vulnerable populations to enhance equity and accessibility. Therefore, the primary contribution of mass transportation planning to sustainable urban development is by reducing reliance on fossil fuels (through efficiency and mode shift) and minimizing environmental impacts (like air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions). \[ \boxed{\text{By reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impacts}} \]