New research of United nations has shown that the world’s population migrates from rural to urban areas. Data show that by the year 2030. in urban centers worldwide will live 5 billions of people. But in process of economic development modern cities are faced with several challenges. Urbanization of the 21st century leads to massive expansion of infrastructures and huge energy consumption. Right now big cities consume two thirds of world’s energy and they are responsible for 70 % of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Large traffic congestion, an increase in greenhouse gas emissions are endangering clean environment and health of citizens. The use of private motor vehicles is constantly growing, especially in developing countries. Increasing the number of used vehicles that can be purchased at low prices, an increase the distance which the individual must pass to get to work, such as inadequate public transport system, are the biggest factors that contribute to congestion of city traffic. Efforts to solve problems of increasing demand for transport have tendency to focus more on expanding capacity of roads and public transport, but in the long run only the number of vehicles on the roads are increasing, which ultimately means heavier traffic and higher concentration of CO2 in the air.
Experts on the biggest project of energy efficiency in Bosnia and Herzegovina BEEP (Bosnia Energy Bosnia Energy Efficiency Project) are warning to those mentioned problems of urban centers, but also suggesting solutions in a form of implementation steps that will allow healthier environment and energy efficiency city. Such cities require reversal in proper use of their surface and quality transport planning. Listed problems can be handled by implementing measures such as improving public transport, promotion use of bicycles or walking, as well as developing the infrastructure of the city which minimize the use of vehicles.
Activities that could be applied by city government would be primary focused on reducing the use of vehicles. It is needed to discourage owners of vehicles from their use with measures such as: ban driveway by car in certain parts of the city, increasing the price of parking downtown, labeling certain parts of town as «zone for pedestrians » etc. There are also necessary investments in the regulation of public transport, as well as in the quality infrastructure of hiking and biking areas. Additional activities would be launched with the aim of reducing the negative effects of an exhale gases from cars, directing to potentiation on use of electric cars or the use of better quality fuels. In the process of applying measures of energy efficiency in developing cities, also include measures of adequate planning the construction parts of the city which would possess all needed to live within one settlement, from the facilities for housing and shopping, through the educational and medical institutions.
Combination of great developed public transport and a series of deployments to regulate traffic helped Singapore to become one of the most effective energy cities in the world. Singapore has a comprehensive approach to urban transport planning which includes strong restrictions related to the ownership and use of cars. The city has developed system of public transport stations which are available on every step of the way, as well as the taxi services which offer transportation at very cheap prices.