Moving People Goods And Information In The 21st Century

This book explores all the issues behind the creation of new infrastructures and examines the effects they will have on the shape of the cities in the twenty-first century.

Globalisation and technological innovation have changed the way people, goods, and information move through and about cities. To remain, or become, economically and environmentally sustainable, cities and their regions must adapt to these changes by creating cutting-edge infrastructures that integrate advanced technologies, communications, and multiple modes of transportation. The book defines cutting-edge infrastructures, details their importance to cities and their regions, and addresses the obstacles to creating those infrastructures.

From the oceans to continental heartlands, human activities have altered the physical characteristics of Earth's surface. With Earth's population projected to peak at 8 to 12 billion people by 2050 and the additional stress of climate change, it is more important than ever to understand how and where these changes are happening. Innovation in the geographical sciences has the potential to advance knowledge of place-based environmental change, sustainability, and the impacts of a rapidly changing economy and society. Understanding the Changing Planet outlines eleven strategic directions to focus research and leverage new technologies to harness the potential that the geographical sciences offer.

Mobility First considers domestic transportation through the intersection of four crucial and timely elements: global, economic, and cultural competitiveness; urban development and trends; demographics; and transportation engineering and design. The book proposes solutions that will mitigate the troubling consequences of congestion, spiraling road costs, bad roads, and political inertia.

Staley and Balaker shine new light on the problem of traffic congestion in this easily accessible book. Though often dismissed as a minor if irritating nuisance, congestion constrains our personal and professional lives, making it harder to find a good job, spend time with our family, and maintain profitable businesses. The Road More Traveled both demonstrates these insidious effects and offers new policy solutions for bringing our roads up to speed.