Gasoline Consumption and Cities Revisited: What Have We Learnt?

This article provides a personal reflection 30 years after we created the concept of automobile dependence. The paper entitled “Gasoline Consumption and Cities: A Comparison US Cities with Global Survey Its Implications” an associated book “Cities Automobile Dependence” stirred up transport planning, especially in US. We examine criticisms, this evoked at time within perspective what has happened cities since then. Key policy prescriptions re-urbanizing prioritizing transit, walking cycling, have been largely mainstreamed, though not without some painful changes professional practice such as road capacity increases being seen only solution to traffic. Urban planning policies adopted innumerable worldwide moved reduce dependence, academic debate continues. future is likely continue debate, over autonomous cars where there will remain fundamental need keep on path reduced dependence by ensuring that hard-won principles reurbanization corridors, integrated new transit alternatives walkability precincts/stations, are given highest priority.