Scientist calls for urban planning changes as oil prices increase
Scientist calls for urban planning changes as oil prices increase. 28/07/2005. ABC News Online
Last Update: Thursday, July 28, 2005. 7:24am (AEST)
Scientist calls for urban planning changes as oil prices increase
Governments and industry have been urged to plan for the possibility of substantial increases in world oil prices.
Sustainable Transport Coalition scientist Bruce Robinson says residents of Australia's outer suburbs who rely heavily on cars for transport are likely to be severely affected by high fuel costs.
Mr Robinson has addressed seminars in Brisbane, where he has said urban planning should help create communities less reliant on road transport.
"The community would be wealthier and happier and healthier if we all use cars less, if kids were able to walk to school as they used to in the past, rather than being taken captive and strapped into a beast four-wheel-drive," he said.
He has called for greater forward planning by government and industry to prepare for severe hikes in global oil prices.
Mr Robinson says while there is no need to panic, steps should be taken now to plan for urban development less reliant on road transport.
"The $3 or $10 a litre petrol scenario or rationing in a five or 10, or 20 year timeframe would be well worth considering," he said.
"If petrol is rationed, then people in the outer suburbs may well be at a substantial disadvantage and the houses in the outer suburbs may not be worth what people owe on their mortgages."
Last Update: Thursday, July 28, 2005. 7:24am (AEST)
Scientist calls for urban planning changes as oil prices increase
Governments and industry have been urged to plan for the possibility of substantial increases in world oil prices.
Sustainable Transport Coalition scientist Bruce Robinson says residents of Australia's outer suburbs who rely heavily on cars for transport are likely to be severely affected by high fuel costs.
Mr Robinson has addressed seminars in Brisbane, where he has said urban planning should help create communities less reliant on road transport.
"The community would be wealthier and happier and healthier if we all use cars less, if kids were able to walk to school as they used to in the past, rather than being taken captive and strapped into a beast four-wheel-drive," he said.
He has called for greater forward planning by government and industry to prepare for severe hikes in global oil prices.
Mr Robinson says while there is no need to panic, steps should be taken now to plan for urban development less reliant on road transport.
"The $3 or $10 a litre petrol scenario or rationing in a five or 10, or 20 year timeframe would be well worth considering," he said.
"If petrol is rationed, then people in the outer suburbs may well be at a substantial disadvantage and the houses in the outer suburbs may not be worth what people owe on their mortgages."
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