Call For Focus On Transport

Sydney Morning Herald

Tuesday November 18, 2008

Harvey Grennan

THE true cost of inner-city development is half that of fringe development over 50 years, says a sustainability expert.

Professor Peter Newman of Curtin University told a Parsons Brinckerhoff forum in Sydney that governments could save $85,000 per block in infrastructure costs with "transit-oriented development". This is urban development along transport corridors.

"The old economy of car-dependence is over. With rising oil prices and climate change people cannot afford to live in outer suburbs. We need to provide efficient public transport and attractive urban places which encourage people to gather, work and live."

The sustainability director of Parsons Brinckerhoff, Darren Bilsborough, said the calculations included the cost of infrastructure, transport and, for the first time, health and environment.

"The health and environment costs, in dollar value, are small compared to infrastructure and transport, but the social costs may be far greater in the long term."

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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